By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3 cats
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Starring: Colin Bates | Daan de Wit | Daniel Craig | Henrique Zaga | Jason Schwartzman
Year: 2024
Running time: 136
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt24176060
Diane says: “Daniel Craig stars in this adaptation of William Burroughs’s autobiographical novel.
“Lee (the Burroughs character) is trying to live a life in 1950s Mexico City that he couldn’t in the US–as a ‘homosexual’ and a junkie. Lee is abrasive, controlling, and filled with intense desire for Eugene, a younger man whose sexuality Lee is uncertain of. In a bizarre third act, they end up machete’ing their way through the Ecuadoran jungle in search of a drug that will satisfy Lee’s longing to ‘talk without speaking.’
“Craig is great in this role, moving from a linen-suited snobby ex-pat to a desperate man covered in mud. I loved the ’50s clothes and the soundtrack–from Benny Goodman to Nirvana. I can’t put my finger on it, but the movie seemed like it could have been produced in the ’80s or ’90s.
“Folks who know something of Burroughs’ life/work will enjoy it more than others. 4 cats.”
Tom M. responds: “Concur. Lee has relocated to Mexico, because – at the time – it was one of the few havens for a man of stature wanting to pursue same-sex dalliances as well as illicit drug use without the inherent social and legal persecution that was (and still is?) rife and looming in the states.”
Michael says: “I had a difficult time with QUEER, and I’m not really a fan of Burrough’s work. I found the film overlong, visually flat, fairly meandering, and a bit lacking in drive. Performances were fine, Daniel Craig did a good job with his character, although I found his physicality a little off-putting for the character he was portraying. Lesley Manville was incredibly over-the-top in a delightful way in the final quarter of the film. Jason Schwartzman was completely unrecognizable, and I completely forgot that he was in the film until I was reminded afterwards.
“I can see why this book was so controversial in the 50’s when it was written, but for me, it just comes across as dated in this day and age. Drew Starkey, as the object of Lee’s affection, was good looking enough, but the character was too much of a cypher, and honestly, too bland to hold my interest. Sure, I agree with Diane, the clothes were nice, but the rest of the visuals were treated in a way that made many of the backgrounds look like green screen imagery. Perhaps to enhance the artifice of the story? I found it distracting… although not as distracting as the music, which I actually found intrusive and annoying, particularly Nirvana’s ‘Come As You Are.’ That anachronistic use of music just didn’t work for at all.
“Then the two main characters leave Mexico for Ecuador in search of a drug that may induce telepathy. For me, that’s when the film found some purpose and interest. Sure it was at times ludicrous and over-the-top, but what else should we expect from Luca Guadagnino, creator of I AM LOVE? From the moment the viper appeared through to when Lee appears back on the Mexican beach, the film caught my attention again.
“I guess I’m going to have to give in and watch CHALLENGERS to finally decide whether I like Guadagnino as a filmmaker or not. It’s not something I’m looking forward to. As for QUEER, I give it 2 cats.”
Tom M. says: “QUEER is def divisive. It rambles to be sure. Kerouac gave Burroughs the name for the novel and he had just shot his wife and got away with drunken William Tell gun play.
“Guadagnino makes gorgeous films. I’m a fan of his outré forays, BONES AND ALL and SUSPIRIA but CHALLENGERS feels like a vanity project and is likewise, thin and the characters none too likable…handsome actors, yes, deep empathic characters, no.
“3 furballs“