As a cinephile with a penchant for gritty, character-driven films, I found myself utterly captivated by the raw, unfiltered chaos that unfolds in “Free Fire.” Ben Wheatley’s directorial prowess shines through, as he masterfully weaves together a tale of inept criminals, their bizarre decisions, and the carnage that ensues.
Cillian Murphy began his acting journey back in 1997, and after nearly three decades, he’s now at the pinnacle of his profession. While it was likely “Peaky Blinders” that won him many fans, it was the role in “Oppenheimer” that truly catapulted him into Hollywood’s elite circle. Now, he’s garnering even more acclaim for his performance in “Small Things Like These”. However, to most of his adoring followers, he will forever be Tommy Shelby. When he realized he was on the verge of losing the role of Shelby to Jason Statham, Murphy texted series creator Steven Knight a reminder: “I am an actor!” Knight took a chance with him, and the rest is history.
In reality, the actor comes across as genuinely kind, yet he skillfully portrays a 20th-century gangster-politician on screen with charisma, confidence, and ambition. However, it’s worth noting that “Peaky Blinders” isn’t Cillian Murphy’s only exploration of the gangster genre. In other films like “Free Fire,” he takes on the role of an IRA member.
Anyone still unfamiliar with the movie, particularly enthusiasts of Tommy Shelby, might want to take a look. However, it’s more of a must-see for fans of Quentin Tarantino, considering its distinctive tone and flair.
‘Free Fire’ Is a Gripping Deal-Gone-Wrong Tale
The film, Free Fire, is skillfully filmed and boasts a third act that’s nothing short of stunning. It’s a tale filled with emotion and disorder, set in 1978. The story begins as diverse groups gather at a Boston warehouse to meet arms dealer Vernon for an agreement concerning weapons. Among these groups, there are friends Stevo and Bernie, while Chris (Cillian Murphy) and Frank, members of the IRA, form another pair.
As Stevo travels, he expresses anger, thinking back to an occurrence from the day prior where a man attacked him. The reason for this attack? Stevo had assaulted a woman, who turned out to be the man’s relative. Unapologetic, Stevo feels wronged and as he swears, the audience finds themselves rooting for his demise, adding depth to the storyline that unfolds in the rest of the movie.
Upon reaching the destination, everyone readies themselves to employ their negotiation tactics. While they remain vigilant for any law enforcement, these individuals soon come face-to-face with their toughest adversary – their deeply rooted small-mindedness. This becomes evident in a matter of minutes.
Once the discussions commence, a new dimension of intrigue unfolds for Stevo as he recognizes that one of Vermon’s henchmen is the individual who attacked him earlier. This revelation quickly shifts the atmosphere from amicable to tense and unyielding. Insults are exchanged, tensions escalate, and in a matter of moments, gunshots ring out.
Throughout the remainder of the film, there’s a continuous exchange of gunfire as characters take turns seeking shelter and firing their weapons, aiming to hit a target. Occasionally, they make desperate calls for reinforcements, punctuated by familiar elements from other gangster films.
Time and again, Cillian Murphy’s demeanor remains composed. His understated portrayal is both moving and painful, deserving recognition. His character gracefully endures his misfortune and strives to persevere amid regret for stepping into a room filled with seemingly thoughtless individuals.
‘Free Fire’ Is a ‘Reservoir Dogs’ Clone That’s Just as Exciting as the ’90s Film
A big cluster of individuals arguing before unleashing a barrage of gunfire among themselves, confined within an isolated space? That’s the style of Quentin Tarantino. He executed this in _Reservoir Dogs_ and later in _The Hateful Eight_. Yet, _Free Fire_ is more akin to the initial work, minus the diamond heist.
In the Tarantino movie, it’s the eight culprits who pull off the crime, but they are unexpectedly attacked by law enforcement. Later, at their hideout, a dispute arises as one suspect suggests the incident was orchestrated as a setup. As time passes, several underlying conflicts between the heist collaborators surface, leading to mutual accusations. In the end, gunfire erupts, resulting in several of the group members losing their lives.
The film “Free Fire” echoes a similar approach as that of the ’90s, yet it focuses more on the explosive action rather than the prelude. This is a characteristic shared with Quentin Tarantino’s work, where his raw portrayal of the meaningless nature of criminal life remains impactful even today.
The movie’s lack of success suggests that this method wasn’t the best choice. Similar to Peaky Blinders and Reservoir Dogs, the gangster film could have benefited from more development of its world and characters. Nevertheless, it offers several other elements that are probably appealing to fans of Tarantino.
“Similar to a typical character created by Tarantino, Vernon (portrayed by Sharlto Copley), is a complex individual. Born in Rhodesia (currently Zimbabwe), he has always struggled with the label of child prodigy bestowed upon him during his youth. Now, he consistently strives to demonstrate his intelligence and exhibits an irritating tendency to incorporate his name into conversations. Addressing his henchmen, he exclaims, ‘Look at me, Vern!’
Discussing “Watch and Vern,” this dialogue is reminiscent of the kind that would delight fans of Tarantino, much like in his film Reservoir Dogs. In a scene similar to one where a character questions another about being an FBI agent undercover, “You’re not FBI are you?” he asks. To which she replies, “I am I.I.F.M,” and he responds, puzzled, “What?” She clarifies, “In it for myself.
For many young viewers, most quick jokes may go unnoticed since they clicked to watch “the Peaky Blinders” actor. This is beneficial, as it allows adults to enjoy the mature, non-PG content without distraction.
As a follower, I’d say: Just like Quentin Tarantino, Wheatley exposes the authentic nature of criminals. Contrary to popular belief in many classic gangster films, they aren’t all masterminds. They are often stumbling and emotional, leading them to make irrational decisions. The striking contrast in attitudes and comprehension among different gangster groups is vividly and humorously showcased throughout the entire film.
As a movie enthusiast, I find that the music plays an integral role, serving not just as a backdrop, but as a bedrock and creative influence shaping the unusual choices of the characters.
Wheatley Built the 3D Set in ‘Minecraft’
It’s worth noting that according to Wheatly, the film Free Fire wasn’t influenced by Tarantino. Instead, the concept originated from an FBI report about a Miami shootout, as revealed in an interview with The Guardian. This report highlighted the gangsters’ poor marksmanship and the extensive violence, describing how they continued to shoot wildly and miss, even at close range. Together with his wife, Amy Jump, Wheatly developed the script based on these events. Interestingly, he designed the set using Minecraft.
He revealed:
As a passionate movie enthusiast, I decided to create an immersive environment for my upcoming production. Instead of relying on flat blueprints, I constructed a 3D model of the set using Minecraft. This way, I could freely navigate through the space, double-checking every detail and making sure each element was perfectly placed.
It’s not unexpected, given that the director has a rich background in creating animated films. Furthermore, he clarified the reason for the prolonged action sequence. Keep in mind that in most movies, including Reservoir Dogs, the shootout usually doesn’t exceed a few dozen minutes.
Indeed, it’s quite an imaginative idea, isn’t it? It’s similar to asking: “Do you enjoy desserts, particularly cake? How many slices of cake could you possibly consume? Alright, here, have as much cake as you want. And look, I have even more for you.
The true wonder lies in how Wheatley skillfully assembled such a talented cast on a budget of only $7 million. Given Murphy’s acclaimed work on Peaky Blinders, one might expect him to come at a higher cost. However, as often happens with productions, there are always concessions when the actor and director share a close relationship, or when the actor is deeply invested in the project.
We are glad Murphy signed up for this.
Free Fire is available to stream in the US on Prime Video
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2024-12-22 23:33