“Queer” film review: Daniel Craig and the beautiful boy

Mexico City in the 1950s. William Lee (Daniel Craig), an American expatriate in his late forties, lives an enjoyable but rather lonely life. He fled to the Mexican capital so he could pursue his drug addiction with impunity. The city's queer scene and cantinas are a kind of paradise for Lee. One evening he meets the young ex-soldier Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey), with whom he falls in love.

“Queer” is Luca Guadagnino’s second project of 2024 after “Challengers” and once again a collaboration with screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes. It is one Film adaptation from William S. Burroughs' of the same name novella from 1985 – a sequel to his semi-autobiographical novel “Junkie” from 1953, which is about the protagonist's addiction to morphine and heroin.

(Not) a story of unrequited love

The film is also about drug addiction. But more than that, it's about being addicted to another person who will never love you as much as you want them to. No matter how hard you bend to make her love you – be it the strongest drug rush or a trip to the jungle. And even telepathy can't explain why the other person doesn't seem to feel the same way.

However, Guadagnino himself describes the story not as one of “unrequited love”, but rather “a story of unsynchronized love”. “A large part of the film consists of the two of them trying to get closer, but for their own reasons it's very difficult for them to do so,” he summarizes.

A mysterious figure

Eugene Allerton is slightly younger than Lee and appears to be still exploring his sexuality. His character seems distant and inscrutable. Is he interested? Is he even gay? Sometimes he seems repelled by Lee's advances, but then he is trusting again. Since the story is told from Lee's perspective, he remains as much of a mystery to the audience as he probably is to the protagonist himself. It's just small moments of shared laughter and conversation that reveal his character a little and make you understand what Lee is striving for and what connection he is looking for. Until the end of the film, Eugene remains an unsolvable mystery – for Lee, but also for the audience.

The theme of homosexuality in a largely homophobic world of the time is not intended to be the main motif of “Queer”. The film explores questions of masculinity, male bonding and friendship, as well as themes such as desire and loneliness.

Lee's desperation to understand Allerton and build a deep bond with him ultimately leads them to the South American jungle. Lee is looking for a hallucinogenic potion (now known as ayahuasca) that is said to enable telepathy. He doesn't want to control Allerton, he wants to understand him. “I want to talk to you without speaking,” Lee says impressively in the film.

Conclusion

Daniel Craig's performance of William Lee is deeply touching. He embodies with finesse the profound loneliness and desperation of a man hungry for understanding and connection. Drew Starkey's character, on the other hand, is difficult to grasp, but nice to look at. Particularly noteworthy is Lesley Manville, who plays the crazy researcher Dr. Dr. who lives in seclusion in the jungle. Cotter is almost unrecognizable and delivers a brilliant performance.

Stylistically, “Queer” has a few Commonalities with Guadagninos previous works. On the one hand, the film is a visual masterpiece that impresses with its lustful cinematography. Desire and identity are central themes in Guadadagnino's work, as in “Call Me By Your Name” (2017). As in “Bones and All” (2022), he explores addiction, self-hatred and identity in a world that does not accept being different. The surreal elements in the last third of the film are reminiscent of his horror film “Suspiria” (2018).

Once again, the director shows his detailed attention to the body and sensuality – a skill thanks to which the picture usually says more than the spoken word ever could. The bottom line is that “Queer” is a fascinating film that… Complexity of human relationships and the Torment of unfulfilled longing vividly depicts.

Despite – or perhaps because of – its complexity, “Queer” leaves you wanting to see it a second time to better understand its many (meta) levels.

4 1/2 out of 5 drops of sweat on men's skin