Free Fire (2017)

Review

90min

Genre:       Action, Comedy, Crime

Director:    Ben Wheatley

Cast:         Cillian Murphy, Brie Larson, Sharlto Copley…and more

Writers:     Amy Jump and Ben Wheatley

-Synopsis-

Writer/director Ben Wheatley’s riotous mix of comedy and violence featuring an ensemble cast and set in a Boston warehouse in the late 1970s, where an arms deal gone wrong turns into a shootout free-for-all between a disparate group of criminal misfits.

Having garnered a reputation among film insiders as a ‘nouveau cinematic maverick’ with strong genre tendencies and nostalgic appeal—and in double-quick time with only a few films of note—British TV director turned auteur filmmaker Wheatley reunites with his writing partner and wife Amy Jump, to add another string to his filmmaking bow with an outrageous and darkly comical tribute to 70s exploitation films and b-movie action flicks.

Taking place entirely in a warehouse in 1978 Massachusetts, the ultra-simple story follows two IRA fighters (Cillian Murphy & Michael Smiley) and their American associates, on a stateside mission to buy weapons for their dastardly cause—with the help of a crafty middle-woman (Brie Larson). When they meet with two self-styled arms dealers (Sharlto Copley & Armie Hammer) and their own associates, tensions conspire with misunderstandings to spark an almighty action/comedy pitch battle, where the name of the game is more than just survival.

‘Free Fire’ is a major gear change from last year’s dark, dystopian social satire adaptation of J.G. Ballard’s ‘High-Rise’ for Wheatley, but like most of his work it gives this ballsy filmmaker the chance to tap into his irreverent side and his penchant for anarchy. Stylishly shot with no natural light by Wheatley’s long-time cinematographer Laurie Rose, and with a pulsating electronic score—plus a strategic dose of John Denver—this is a balls-to-the-wall, gun-blazing comedy package with no room for deliberation, dapperly dressed in 70s threads . . . and with the hair to match.

With the story being limited to one open location, simple variations of stop/start action set-pieces and comedic contrivances in between them, ‘Free Fire’ depends largely on its actors to sell it all, and hilariously bring this ragtag group of characters to life. Luckily the cast of mostly British and Irish talent playing Bostonians and Northern Irish—plus a couple of genuine Americans (Brie Larson & Armie Hammer)—all get their chance to shine, with South African Sharlto Copley once again stealing the show, this time as a flamboyant and quick-tempered Rhodesian arms dealer.

Wheatley quickly and cleverly turns the story into an inescapable Mexican standoff and siege situation by ensuring everyone gets shot and wounded early—hilariously rendering them battling invalids—even Brie Larson as the only woman gets the lead treatment, in a case of female empowerment meeting equality. What follows is an orgy of increasingly ludicrous but graphic violence, peppered with clever quips and sharp one-liners . . . plus plenty of guns and even more ammo— in what is essentially a raucous comedy tribute to 70s genre films like ‘Thunderbolt and Lightfoot’, and exploitation action/thrillers such as ‘The Taking of Pelham One Two Three’ and ‘Assault on Precinct 13’.

If you’re looking for something more than meets the eye, then ‘Free Fire’ will not be for you. Wheatley has no real interest in fleshing out characters or building back-stories, let alone  providing any legitimate drama or real tension—apart from a couple of perilous moments—it’s just not that kind of film. Nor is it a particularly intricate or inspired story either, just about managing to stretch out a basic premise over an hour and a half, thanks mostly to expert delivery of sharp and witty dialogue . . . in ludicrous circumstances. But you should know what to expect from a film like this, so just sit back and enjoy some unadulterated gratuitous violence without circumstance, wrapped in glorious banter and deadpan black humour.

The Bottom Line . . .

An outrageous, often hilarious and entertaining tribute to 70’s exploitation and genre cinema—where the black comedy is as piercing as the bullets—‘Free Fire’ is a riotous premise-stretcher and about as good as a one-dimensional action shootout flick is likely to get these days. Although Wheatley avoids depth and nuance like the plague, his commitment to comical mayhem and a quirky cast firing on all cylinders makes this a stylish nostalgia trip, and an enjoyable way to spend 90 minutes.

Similar films you may like (Home Video)

Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)

A small group of people—holed up in a soon-to-be decommissioned police station—struggle for survival as they defend themselves from a violent street gang hell-bent on revenge in this classic exploitation action/thriller from John Carpenter.

Directed by John Carpenter and starring Austin Stoker, Darwin Joston and Laurie Zimmer among others.

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