“Queer”

I wanted to like “Queer a whole lot more than I did. Working from a screenplay loosely adapted by Justin Kuritzkes from William S. Burroughs’ autobiographical novel, director Luca Guadagnino‘s film dares to challenge both its characters and its audience in a way that will try your patience. The movie is a surreal, meandering exploration of loneliness, addiction, and the struggle to find meaning amidst chaos, all told from the point of view of an expatriate living on the fringes of society in Mexico City. While parts of the movie work quite well, the majority of it flounders from slow pacing and abstract ramblings.

Set in the 1950s, the film tells the story of Lee (Daniel Craig), an American ex-pat who leads a mostly solitary life. His routine is shaken up when young student Allerton (Drew Starkey) arrives, and the two begin a relationship that may just finally ignite a spark in Lee that will inspire him to establish a meaningful connection with another person.

Craig is certainly the standout of the film, and his nuanced depiction of Lee’s vulnerability, desperation, and self destruction is raw and compelling. This is a career-best performance for the actor, as he finds the perfect balance of a complex man who is both magnetic yet deeply flawed. Jason Schwartzman is also terrific in a supporting role, bringing a touch of eccentricity that balances out some of the darker elements of the film. Starkey is the perfect companion to Craig and together, they craft a dynamic chemistry that feels genuine amidst the haze of debauchery that sometimes clouds the story.

Despite the strong performances, the film can’t escape its own self-indulgence. The pace is so slow and deliberate that it feels long-winded, like Guadagnino is hell bent on making audiences suffer through an alienating, drawn-out artistic exercise. It often seems as though the film is desperately reaching for deeper meanings but in doing so, it comes off as pretentious and aimless. The constant drug and alcohol use may be thematically consistent with the main character’s struggles, but it eventually becomes tiresome. The portrayal of these booze and drug fueled excesses overwhelms the potential for a more meaningful exploration of core themes like what it means to be gay, what it means to live authentically, and the consequences of chasing after fleeting moments of transcendence.

Yet, for all its flaws, there is undeniable beauty to be found. The film’s mood is suffused with melancholy, and there is a sense of authenticity in the portrayal of Lee’s search for meaning (no matter how misguided it might be). Everything about the story bleeds with a deeply personal vulnerability that truly speaks to the human experience, even if the philosophical musings are outright overwhelming.

“Queer” is not a film for everyone. The narrative isn’t straightforward, and it becomes a tiresome and hallucinatory introspective exploration of a man caught in the grip of addiction and loneliness. It’s worth watching for Craig’s award-worthy performance, but overall it’s just too taxing and isn’t something I’d ever want to revisit.

By: Louisa Moore