Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Queer,’ an adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ work, has generated considerable buzz, competing for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. Set in the sun-drenched, dust-coated landscapes of 1950s Mexico City and later South America, the film follows William Lee, a hard-drinking American expat played by Daniel Craig, on his relentless pursuit of fleeting love and escape.
Craig embodies Lee as a captivating, yet deeply flawed character, a blend of charisma and desperation. His portrayal oscillates between a debonair, off-duty Bond and the eccentric Benoit Blanc of the ‘Knives Out’ franchise, though with far less romantic success. His journey takes him through the city’s bars and streets, encountering various characters until he locks eyes with Eugene Allerton, a dashing newcomer played by Drew Starkey. Their initial encounter, a slow-motion flirtation set to Nirvana’s ‘Come As You Are,’ evokes the romanticism of an old-fashioned perfume ad.
Starkey’s Allerton is an enigma, a figure of restraint and allure, making him a fascinating foil to Craig’s eager and uncertain Lee. Their relationship blossoms, culminating in a remarkably tender love scene that momentarily offers hope for a happy ending. However, the film takes a darker turn as Allerton’s interest wanes, leaving Lee consumed by self-loathing and spiraling into addiction.
Seeking solace, Lee delves into heroin and cocaine, eventually becoming obsessed with the power of ayahuasca. He persuades Allerton to join him on a trip through South America, promising liberation and freedom. Their journey takes them deep into the Amazon rainforest, where they encounter a demented doctor, played by Lesley Manville, who leads them through a bizarre and hallucinatory ‘healing ceremony.’ This sequence, alongside numerous dream sequences throughout the film, are visually striking but often feel indulgent and detract from the film’s overall cohesiveness.
The film’s use of CGI is also somewhat heavy-handed, leaving the viewer with an indistinct sense of place. Despite the anticipated explicit scenes, ‘Queer’ ends up surprisingly tame, with nudity and intimacy often cut away from, leaving a sense of dissatisfaction.
Despite its shortcomings, ‘Queer’ boasts strong performances from both Craig and Starkey. Craig delivers a compelling portrayal of a man consumed by his desires and longing for connection. Starkey, in turn, brings a captivating air of mystery and intrigue to his character. However, the film’s meandering narrative and reliance on dreamlike sequences, while visually captivating, ultimately hinder its potential to fully engage the viewer. It remains to be seen whether ‘Queer’ will make a significant impact on the awards circuit, but Craig’s performance alone is worth the watch.
