Jump to the good stuff: The Story | Some Thoughts | The Final Verdict
The Story:
Queer is a romantic drama set in the 1950s about an older man who becomes infatuated with a much younger man.
William Lee (Danial Craig) is an American expatriate living in Mexico City. In his spare time, of which he has plenty, he cruises younger men and occasionally has sex with them. While at a bar, Lee catches the eye of the young Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey) hanging out with a woman. Lee and Allerton flirt with each other, but Lee’s not sure if Allerton is gay, so he doesn’t make a move.
As they continue to run into each other, their flirting turns into conversation, and they begin hanging out. And the more time they spend together, the more Lee becomes obsessed with Allerton, who maintains an emotional distance. What follows is a story of obsession and desire.
Some Thoughts:
With its gorgeous visuals, fine acting, and steady pacing, Queer is an easy film to drink in. Adapted from the William S. Burroughs novella of the same name, it has many of the author’s trademarks of drugs and the trips that come with them. Because of that, what begins as a straightforward story devolves into trippy visuals.
Once Allerton discovers Lee’s drug addiction, the story changes slightly. The central focus is still on Lee’s infatuation with Allerton, but the background of Mexico City shifts to Ecuador and hallucinogens are introduced. This is also when the story becomes more abstract, which could be a turn off for people looking for a standard plot.
Although some may be confused when the film becomes hallucinatory, director Luca Guadagnino does give hints that it’s heading in that direction. There are scenes where Lee is shown as somewhat disjointed from reality and at times backdrops intentionally look like well-constructed set pieces and miniatures.
People who enjoy a more artsy movie or are familiar with Burroughs should enjoy Queer. However, if you’re looking for a more standard romance, this is not for you.
The Final Verdict:
Queer is a fine piece of cinema. While the story may be a bit esoteric for the casual viewer, fans of art house cinema and the works of William S. Burroughs should enjoy it.