Queer – Film Review
by Frank L.

Director – Luca Guadagnino
Writers – William S. Burroughs, Justin Kuritzkes
Stars – Daniel Craig, Daan de Wit, Jason Schwartzman

The film is based on William S. Burroughs’ novella of the same name which was published in 1985 having been written in the fifties. There were many reasons for its delayed publication including its homosexual content. It is semi-autobiographical as it traces Burroughs’ relationship to narcotics and his search for love.

William Lee (Daniel Craig) is a mature American who has a penchant for drugs, alcohol and casual sex with men. It is the nineteen fifties and he decides to relocate to Mexico City. He can live cheaply there while frequenting its bars on the lookout for sexual partners. These encounters are fleeting until he comes across a young American ex-serviceman Gene Allerton (Drew Starkey) whose sexuality is not obvious. Lee is a restless character and he wants to go into the jungles of South America to encounter the telepathic drug ayahuasca or yage as it may help him discover what Allerton really thinks of him. There they encounter the expert on yage, one Doctor Cotter (Lesley Manville) who has opted for an entirely alternative existence where guns and snakes are part of her everyday existence.   It is a stark contrast to the rackety charm of Mexico City.

The cinematography of Mexico City in the fifties is spellbinding. There are a succession of beautiful images of street life and small bars. It is a haunting reincarnation of a time past. Craig bestrides this world dressed with a touch of formality which sets him apart and a little aloof from the other expatriate, homosexual bar flies. Craig is mesmerising to watch as he fills his days in Mexico City. In the jungle, however, the incomparable Manville does hold centre stage.

The film also conveys the complexity of the relationship between Lee and Allerton, a relationship that undoubtedly contains lust but also approaches something greater. It is an enigma.

Guadagnino has created a visually beautiful film. Lee is undoubtedly the dominant figure in the relationship between him and Allerton. Craig’s performance as Lee is breathtaking. He bestrides the story. Burroughs was an exceedingly complex individual and the autobiographical strands within this film reflect some of those complexities. Craig is magnificent; the storyline challenges.