Director Luca Guadagnino’s work with screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes, who adapted William S. Burroughs’ semi-autobiographical novel, Queer, takes the audience back in time to 1950s Mexico City. The author was living as an ex-pat “en el DF” as were other Americans, and this writer was away from the US as a way of living his lifestyle (drugs and more) with little to no consequences. While there with his common law wife/companion, she died at a party where a “game” went wrong. He traveled back and forth between the two countries seemingly trying to avoid the law, trying to write, but along came Gene.
I have not read the 50s set novel that was unpublished until the mid-80s, but this adaptation brings to life what appears to be an easy way to travel back and forth between countries, the communities that existed of Americans among the Mexican citizens and a certain tolerance of the American’s behaviors. Most anyone who has been abroad pre and post 2000 knows how different travel requirements are.
Burroughs’ novel contains his alter ego, William Lee (Daniel Craig in a fantastic performance) who has an opioid addiction. The novel provides a look at some of the experiences with his addictions. In Mexico City he often spent time walking along the streets, as if a tourist taking in the sights, and drinking in various bars. One of the strolls has William Lee stop to watch a cock fight and on the other side of the commotion he spots the handsome and elegant younger man, perhaps half his age, Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey, 2018’s The Hate U Give and Love, Simon). The look on William Lee’s face is as if he just discovered the most delicious new flavor he must taste. The cinematography by DP Sayombhu Mukdeeprom (Challengers, Call Me by Your Name) captures the scene in a way that almost anyone can relate to when there is an attraction to someone/something – the type that stops you where you are.
Craig’s performance shows the audience different sides of Lee, at one time very worldly and composed, reading the latest newspaper in a sidewalk café, then later barely able to stand still at a bar when he sees Eugene (Starkey). Lee knows this one is eluding him, having to work harder to impress Gene, even for a few moments of his time. This story between the two can be mesmerizing, no spoilers included.
Before Eugene, we see that Lee has few good friends. One of his best or closest friends is Joe (Jason Schwartzman, Between the Temples, Asteroid City), who both practically live at the Ship Ahoy bar. At first it is hard to recognize Schwartzman, but his voice, delivery of humor and excellent dialogue for the character. He talks about the loss and gains along the way, including brief accounts of adventures. There is one story of his that made me want to laugh out loud.
Lee perseveres and convinces Eugene to accompany him to South America. He has read an article about a specific plant that yields special telepathic abilities. They end up in the Ecuadorian jungle to find an American botanist, Dr. Cotter (Lesley Manville, totally unrecognizable). She shoots first and asks questions later, protective of her research, while living in a younger male companion (Argentinian writer/director Lisandro Alonso). What ensues during the visit does not merit any spoilers because it is one of those magnificent cinematic moments to be experienced on the big screen.
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have created a score to help shape the mood, along with non-period tracks by various artists. The soundtrack is to be available digitally on December 6th.
Rated R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, strong drug content, language and brief violence.
Runtime: 2 hours 15 minutes. The film is at the Alamo Drafthouse (Austin) December 6, 2024.
Source: A24
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