Though it feels like we’ve just wrapped our heads around the Challengers obsession, Luca Guadagnino has wasted no time in releasing Queer, his most personal film to date.
The Italian director first read William S. Burroughs’ semi-autobiographical novella of the same name—written in 1952 but not published until 1985—at the age of 17, and he has been wanting to bring it to life for years. Written by Challengers’ Justin Kuritzkes and featuring one of Daniel Craig’s most remarkable performances, the film received a 9-minute standing ovation at its premiere during the 81st Venice Film Festival last week Tuesday, firmly establishing its status as one of the event’s most high-profile entries.
Set in the bars of 1950s Mexico City, Daniel Craig portrays William Lee, an American expat indulging in drinking, heroin, and casual sex with young men. Beneath the surface, however, Lee craves intimacy and struggles to form the kind of relationship he desires. His world is upended when he meets Eugene Alderton, an enigmatic young man portrayed by Drew Starkey. Lee quickly becomes infatuated, developing an almost teenage-like obsession.
Though Eugene does not appear to reciprocate Lee’s feelings, the two men end up spending more time together and eventually become intimate. Their relationship, however, is unequal and turbulent, with Alderton feeling trapped and Lee constantly longing for more affection.
Despite this cat and mouse dynamic, the pair leaves the vibrant queer scene of Mexico City behind to embark on an adventure to the Ecuadorian jungle in search of yagé, a plant said to grant telepathic powers. This journey is spurred, of course, by Lee, whose obsession with the mystical plant is nothing more than a desperate desire to understand his distant, enigmatic love interest—and his sexual orientation which he is trying to decipher for the majority of the movie. As Lee puts it, he wishes to “talk to [Eugene] without speaking”.
One of the strongest appeals of Guadagnino’s filmmaking is how he conveys the intensity of infatuation, from drug-like euphoric states to devastating pain. Queer pulses with desire and is driven by passion, both spiritual and palpable. Guadagnino has crafted a unique style, and while some might find the film’s slow pacing a test of patience it gradually draws the audience deeper into the main character’s emotional world. The director plays with surreal, sensual special effects, such as when a ghostly version of Lee’s arm detaches and reaches to stroke Alderton’s cheek, or when the two lovers merge into one during a drug-fueled trip. Amidst these psychedelic sequences, we hear the line: “I’m not queer, I’m disembodied”. The longing for intimacy transcends labels, yet for Lee, the ambiguity of Eugene’s undefining his sexualitybecomes all-consuming.
The strongest appeal of this movie lies in Daniel Craig’s captivating performance. His character, William Lee, is eccentric, goofy, at times insufferable, and (almost) always elegant. Dressed in a white linen suit, glasses, and a hat, with a gun constantly at his side, Lee struts across the Mexico City to Nirvana’s ‘Come As You Are’—a moment that makes it hard not to think of Mr. Bond. At the heart of Lee’s character is self-acceptance. Despite societal norms, he rejects the idea that homosexuality is depraved or emasculating, embracing who he is and how he wants to be without apology. It feels as if the role was tailor-made for Craig to explore every facet of his acting range, and he does so with remarkable success.
To no one’s surprise, Guadagnino’s latest movie is a visual feast. From the pastels of Mexico City to the sensual reds of the hotel rooms where Lee has his one-night stands and the surrealism of drug-induced reveries, it’s hard not to fully immerse yourself in the world of Queer. This experience is further enhanced by an impeccable music selection that will surely bring a smile to every rock fan, with carefully-chosen Nirvana songs hinting at the connection between Burroughs and Kurt Cobain.
Queer is an ode to a somewhat neglected novel by Burroughs, in which the Italian maestro finds his own unique way to explore homoerotic love in great depth. He captures one of the novel’s most endearing qualities: the vulnerability of its protagonist, inspired by Burroughs himself. Daniel Craig brings this vulnerability to life, guiding the audience through a multitude of emotions. Ultimately, all that’s left is to sympathize with him in his loneliness and heartbreak.
The Verdict
Queer is strange and chaotic, but above all it’s heartfelt. And while some might not feel convinced by its eccentric nature, you won’t be able to stop thinking about it for days.
Words by Luiza Świerzawska
Queer premiered at Venice Film Festival on 3rd September.
Support The Indiependent
We’re trying to raise £200 a month to help cover our operational costs. This includes our ‘Writer of the Month’ awards, where we recognise the amazing work produced by our contributor team. If you’ve enjoyed reading our site, we’d appreciate it if you could donate to The Indiependent. Whether you can give £1 or £10, you’d be making a huge difference to our small team.