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ARTS & CULTURE
KANSAN.COM
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Review: Dark comedy 'Free Fire' is an ensemble triumph
▶ JACOB SCHERMERHORN @itsjakeschem.
Contributed photo
Free Fire is a dark comedy starring Brie Larson. The movie is currently in theaters.
Violence in film is typically a tool used to intensify a scene or make the audience uneasy. In "Free Fire," director Ben Wheatley — known for such films as "Sightseers" (2012) and "High-Rise" (2015) — used violence as a way to create a dark comedy that is as brutal as it is funny.
"Free Fire" stars Brie Larson, Armine Hammer, Sharlo Copley, and Cillian Murphy. The film takes place in the 1970s and follows an arms deal gone wrong between an Irish gang and a group of gun runners. Due to a previous argument between two opposing members, a gunfight ensues, which leaves the two groups to fight for their lives, making the film one large firefight.
The film does a good job with a humorous approach to this violent situation. During the fight, many quips are thrown out with characters jokingly arguing with each other. Copley's character Vernon, for example, brings this into
play with his fish-out-ofwater attitude, getting mad at others for getting dirt on his suit. Though the main source of humor comes through its use of over-the-top violence, the film
contrasts verbal jokes with unrealistic and gory violence, making the violence digestible.
This works well for the film's dark comedic attitude, though some of the
plain jokes tend to fall through short. The overall comedic tone though works very well for what the film set out to be - not taking itself very seriously. This includes having characters
barely survive deadly situations, like a gas canister explosion that is accidentally set off during the fight, while the others laugh at their misfortune.
The film is definitely an
ensemble triumph. Every actor gives a fairly good performance. No character stood out over the rest, each staying fairly standard to their character types. The film lacks a central character and instead allows you to root for the character of you choice. Other than Copley's character Vernon, each character is painted in a light to give them some kind of redeeming quality. This works well in context to the story of the film, with each character not really knowing who to trust, putting the audience in the same position of the characters.
Overall, "Free Fire" stands as a solid R-rated action comedy that knows exactly what it's trying to be, not taking itself too seriously and instead making fun of the ridiculous violence involved. Though there is nothing too special with the performances, each actor does their job in portraying their character with none standing out over the other.
- Edited by Brenna Boat
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really empowering."
Wolf has always been interested in making videos. In high school, she wanted to be a filmmaker, but instead found ways to merge her love of art and film.
"I do expanded media
because expanded media is everything." Wolf said. "For a painting class you can't make a video, but for a video class you can make a painting. Expanded media lets me bring all [types of media] together."
Macie Sanko, a hair stylist and makeup artist
at Bzar Salon in Lawrence, said that she's seen a big movement for makeup to become more gender-neutral over the past few years. Sanko has male coworkers who are makeup artists and wear makeup as well.
"A big one was the first male CoverGirl, and other big one was YouTube channels with males doing makeup as well," Sanko said.
Sanko has been doing makeup artistry professionally for two years. In her time as a makeup artist, she said that a big part of her job is to help clients push
their boundaries of creativity and encourage them to present themselves in a way that makes them feel beautiful, much like what Wolf has studied.
gling with their identity," Sanko said.
"I think people use makeup to feel comfortable in their own skin, especially when they might be strug-
- Edited by Erin Brock
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