Directed by Luca Guadagnino and written by Justin Kuritzkes, based on the novel by William S. Burroughs. In 1950s Mexico City, an American immigrant in his late forties leads a solitary life amidst a small American community. However, the arrival of a young student stirs the man into finally establishing a meaningful connection with someone. Starring: Daniel Craig, Drew Starkey, Jason Schwartzman, Lesley Manville, Henrique Zaga and Drew Droege.
There are two main factors going into Queer, firstly that if you’re not at all aware of William S. Burroughs’ work and style or have any clue of what’s in store with this film, it may be an intensely surreal experience, because it still is even when you know what’s coming. Secondly, if you didn’t know who Drew Starkey was going in, you’ll wonder why the hell not? Once the credits roll.
The performances are the heart of this film, the connections, the tension, the longing, the denial, all of Queer centres around those aspects. Aspects that are done immense justice by the fantastic cast at work, led to perfection by Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey. The push and pull between them at any one point can be moving, sensual or heart-breaking. That constantly changing dynamic is thrilling and compelling to watch, especially as the film starts to wander down some eclectic, unusual roads.
Craig is as charming as ever but at the same time, he brings such an inherent brokenness and vulnerability to Lee. You can’t help but want to protect him from the heartbreak and rejection, that sense of reaching for any intimacy because he’s felt such disdain throughout his life. So, to then pair him with Starkey’s Eugene who is the image of indifference and non-committal, it creates a relentless battle. Starkey creates this fascinating character who only shows his hand in very brief moments, he’s utterly contained, cold and manipulative yet curious.
Then you’ve got the supporting cast with some heavy hitters, starting with Lesley Manville as you’ve never seen her before. This is a very unusual role for her, but she has such an impressive range and she can do no wrong, so any appearance from her is appreciated, it’s just a shame there isn’t even more to love. Whereas Jason Schwartzman isn’t too far away from what we know of him, but he is sincerely exceptional. The personality, self-deprecation, self-awareness and sarcasm to this performance are a joy to watch. He brings a warmth and straightforwardness that Queer basically doesn’t have otherwise.
Coming from Burroughs, of course the story is somewhat strange. The first half is very strong and completely captivating but as things progress, it goes off the rails and loses its sense of direction. There are certainly a few big swings towards the end, especially with a finale that somehow feels rushed and unnecessarily slow at the same time. Although, there’s a huge range of different styles at work from Luca Guadagnino here.
It’s basically a fantastic example of both worlds for Guadagnino, the grounded, human elements and also the experimental. The use of models was a terrific touch that has a lot to add, which feeds into the almost fantasy edge Queer has. It moves in a haze, with a hallucinatory quality that grows as it progresses. So, while not everything works, the aesthetic is excellent and it’s enthralling to watch unfold.
Queer is an absolute showcase for acting talent, Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey are undeniably one of the best duos to appear onscreen in 2024, and possibly one of the best in queer cinema of the last decade. The story and progression really struggle in the latter half, and it may lose some people at that point but the originality and personality that Luca Guadagnino brings to this film are excellent. The variety and range of his directorial style is fascinating to watch and if nothing else, it’s a genuine experience, which is something the minority of films offer these days.
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