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Through visuals Luca Guadagnino presents Queer as a period drama which follows an expatriate through his obsessive pursuit of a young soldier in Mexico. The film depicts the story of drug-addicted American Lee (Daniel Craig) who moves through Mexico City's secret gay underbelly. This dramatic story has dreamlike touches and sexual warmth along with deep sadness. His fixation on Allerton (Drew Starkey), an enigmatic and non-committal young man, forms the emotional core of the story.
A Visually Symbolic and Emotionally Heavy Narrative
Visual innuendos are constantly present throughout Guadagnino's work starting from the very beginning. The encounter between Lee and Allerton takes place in the shadowy Mexico streets by a cockpit arena that serves as a literal and figurative emblem of violence. While Queer shares similar symbolism with Challengers the film develops a dark yet somber narrative of emotional detachment that contrasts with the energetic sports drama.
Allerton avoids entering a deeper connection with Lee as the plot advances. Allerton displays uncertain motives because he could potentially hide unexpressed feelings or possibly want Lee for escape. When Lee cannot read his lover Allerton's emotions he takes yagé which supposedly enables telepathic communication. The truth reveals itself when Allerton declares to him "I am not queer I am disembodied."
Performances: Daniel Craig’s Transformation into Lee
Throughout his performance Daniel Craig showcases the extent of Lee's emotional torment that stems from aging as a homosexual man through his desperate actions and his struggle to feel connected. Through a comprehensible range of emotions he expresses sadness silently and deep desire which stays unexpressed. Drew Starkey’s character Allerton maintains emotional and physical distance from Lee by withholding complete reciprocation of his romantic feelings. The writer Justin Kuritzkes explains how their love connection functions as a love misalignment rather than unreciprocated feelings.
In a defining moment of the scene Lee chooses to play his guitar instead of holding Allerton because Allerton refuses any physical contact. As his life ends Lee dreams of a young Allerton consoling him before his death even though he does not succumb to illness until much later in his life.
Under Writing and Direction the relationship between Allerton and Lee develops as an intricate form of uncomfortable romance.
The movie accepts the foundation of William S. Burroughs' narrative but makes Allerton's emotional reserve more pronounced. Justin Kuritzkes confirms Allerton's place as a character in the story never included desirability since his character harbored personal wishes of his own. Despite this power imbalance in their relationship there remains no doubt about its dominance.
From his tone Allerton asks "Do I smell of vomit?" before Lee kisses him. Allerton cuts off contact with Lee after his illness strikes—an action which becomes the core evidence of his refusal to engage with love.
Other than the leading romance the dream sequences within the film create a mystical atmosphere. The film deepens its contemplative and nightmarish feeling by showing a drifting paper fragment combined with a floating severed female body in the air.
What Works, What Doesn’t
Strengths:
Stunning cinematography and dreamlike imagery
Daniel Craig’s deeply affecting performance
The storyline shows queer lovers and lonely abandonment through an unsettling intimate perspective
Weaknesses:
At a 135-minute length the story moves slowly thus dragging out its runtime's duration
The communication throughout the film is minimal as the story progresses using mainly expressions and silent moments.
The movie adopts an emotionally depleting presentation which might not appeal to viewers beyond a certain audience segment.
Queer reveals an emotive experience that distils its dark themes into a profound and undefiled presentation. This film stays in viewers' minds because it requires personal evaluation beyond what simple solutions can provide.
⭐ Star Rating: 3/5