Queer

Grade: C-

I have no idea what Queer was supposed to be about, what I was supposed to feel, or what the point was. What I saw was some nice cinematography, entertaining anachronistic needle-drops (no pun intended – if you know, you know) and an excellent lead performance in a disjointed, meandering movie that left me frustrated when I wasn’t apathetic.

I was excited that Luca Guadagnino had another film out so soon after his Challengers. The presence of Daniel Craig seemed promising, and it is a great starring turn from him. Queer takes place in Mexico City in the 1950s. Craig plays William Lee, an American, who spends every waking hour drinking, doing less legal drugs, waxing philosophical about queerness, and cruising the town for men with whom to have a one night stand – or even maybe one day, a relationship.

Apparently, he is an ex-pat, and a writer. I got that from IMDb. Either I missed all that, or there’s not much when it comes to exposition, but I kept asking myself: who is this guy? What does he do for work? Why is he in Mexico? How can he afford this lifestyle? Guadagnino is obviously testing the audience’s patience, and sometimes even frustrating them. Mission accomplished. Whatever he was setting out to do, the result is an aimless, meandering slog.

It’s split up into three chapters. The first is just several days in the life of this man, whoever he is. After playing the field, with some scenes that are among the more graphic I’ve seen with a star of this caliber, he sets his sights on the younger Eugene (Drew Starkey), and things spark up. The second chapter has them traveling to South America to do more drugs and enjoy each other’s company. The final sequence finds then in the jungle, where they encounter a potent herb, and a scenery-chewing Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread). Then it putters out with some surreal Lynchian moments.

Craig creates a performance that is distinct from his James Bond or southern Benoit Blanc from the Knives Out series. I detected almost no physicality or mannerisms carried over from either of those roles. You don’t have to like the movie that a really great characterization comes from, so I support the award nominations he’s received and will be getting. Jason Schwartzman has several extra pounds, wild, stringy hair, and a beard. He was unrecognizable until I heard his voice. Otherwise, Queer left me bored and empty. Some “you just didn’t get it” comments may come my way, and you can say that again.

I kept watching out of sheer curiosity. I wanted to see how Guadagnino would pull it together and tie it up at the end. He manages to follow very little with less. I am a huge fan of Guadagnino’s; he had never steered me wrong before. Call Me By Your Name was a very interesting movie. Bones and All was one of my favorites of 2022. Challengers will make my top ten list this year. Queer is a disappointing miss.

Grade: C-