Review: Queer

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Official synopsis: In 1950s Mexico City, an American immigrant (Daniel Craig) leads a solitary life amidst a small American community. However, the arrival of a young student (Drew Starkey) stirs the man into finally establishing a meaningful connection with someone.

Director Luca Guadagnino started last year on a high note with Challengers and I expected it to end on that same note with Queer. Especially after hearing all the praise for Daniel Craig's performance. 

I wanted to like this so badly, but I STRUGGLED with Queer. Craig does give a wonderful performance but Starkey is drag compared to him. It's the same way I felt about Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer in the far better Call Me By Your Name. The lead is doing all the heavy lifting, and the supporting man just flops. The same could be said for the film itself. It's starts off strong. It's vibrant and interesting, then when our characters leave Mexico City the entire film goes down hill.

It almost feels like two different movies. It's the kind of story that I do not doubt makes a far better book. In film, it just feels jarring.

Grade: C

Comments

  1. thevoid99April 3, 2025 at 9:55 PM

    This is based on something by William Burroughs as he is a writer that writes book that are impossible to adapt. David Cronenberg took many liberties with his film version of Naked Lunch which was nothing like the book but it worked. I still want to see this as I do love Luca Guadagnino but I need to watch Challengers first and then this film and hopefully his first film which is available on MUBI. I have however heard the score for this film which is incredible which is not surprising since it is from NIN.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamApril 4, 2025 at 3:59 PM

      Yes! I find the beat gen guys very interesting, but they are definitely meant for the written medium. I did like the score, but it's not as memorable as some of the other Reznor/Ross ones.

      Delete
  2. SJHoneywellApril 4, 2025 at 6:47 AM

    That's disappointing. I almost pulled the trigger on this a couple of times but didn't, and now perhaps I won't.

    ReplyDelete

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