I have never read the novel, Queer, and I am not that familiar with Wiliam S. Burroughs’ life and career. That said, the film adaptation, Queer, has piqued my interest in the enigmatic writer. Writer Justin Kuritzkes and director Luca Guadagnino have developed an adaptation of the book and have made a solid case for it. It helps that Guadagnino has cast some excellent actors, particularly Daniel Craig, who embraces and embodies his protagonist character in some incredible ways.
The film takes place in 1950s Mexico. Writer William Lee (Daniel Craig) seems to have escaped there from America where he constantly drowns his sorrows, through alcohol and drugs, and occasionally writes while experiencing the gay scene there. Though he has made several “friends” and acquaintances, he becomes infatuated with a younger man named Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey), who seems like he would enjoy the company of another man. The film follows their mostly physical relationship and how Lee seems to be searching for the ultimate comfort and relief. However, this remedy for what ails him always seems to elude him, leaving him more depressed and sad about his existence.
Though I did not find this as compelling or impactful as some of his previous works, I still found Queer to be not only entertaining and hypnotic, but it also left me somewhat sad at the end of it all. It reminds people that the gay community has struggled to achieve some semblance of validity in their feelings, but also how prejudice has impacted them in some very toxic ways.
As the saying goes, they are “As God made them,” which rings true in this story. The struggles they endured in earlier decades have only fueled toxic behavior, which is the big takeaway from this movie. However, the film falls short as a portrait of William S. Burroughs. For someone who knew little about the writer, I preferred further development of his character and more context to appreciate some of the moments in the film.
That said, Guadagnino and his crew have crafted a gorgeous-looking time capsule of a film that beautifully captures this scene in Mexico and other locales during this era. The cinematography by Sayombhu Mukdeeprom is lovely and feels appropriate for the era. I was also struck by the excellent score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross and the interesting choices of songs used, which don’t exactly match the time depicted.
Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the phenomenal performance of Daniel Craig, who embodies William Lee’s character. Though Queer is not Luca Guadagnino’s best film, it is still a remarkable cinematic experience. It is a movie I recommend, despite its weaknesses.