SCREEN SHOT - Queer

Queer the novella was William S.Burroughs second book, carrying the same frank realism that his debut Junkie had featured, but this time focusing on the expat American gay scene in New Mexico. Though written in 1952 his publisher at the time refused to publish it, because of the explicit homosexuality. It was finally published in 1985 when Burroughs had now reached literary legend status. Junkie and Queer are impossible to not see as semi-autobiographical in most of their scenarios. Written before Burrough's began his famous experimental cut up technique, Queer, the book, lays out the territory of his future trademark the laconic self lacerating mode of writing, sending up how lost an American exiled abroad can be. 

William Lee (Daniel Craig) is living in Mexico City, frequenting the many gay bars, and having casual unsatisfactory sex when he can get it. The city is full of draft dodgers, ex GI's and gay men escaping persecution or prosecution. For this one brief moment this district has established its own vibrant queer culture, that many men bath in and relax, .Lee is a gauchely awkward individual and lacks confidence in how to operate in this milieu. He views Eugene (Drew Starkey) from afar and fantasises about a relationship with him. Eugene himself is confusing to read, giving off mixed signals.. But slowly a relationship of sorts does evolve. Lee becomes totally besotted with Eugene, even though he remains unsure what Eugene's true feelings for him actually are.

The film is a desperately sad story of a man who wants a depth of human understanding and sharing of experience that he will never ever find. He hopes to discover it through a relationship with Eugene, and later through taking the hallucinogenic 'yage' brewed by Dr Cotter (a totally unrecognisable scene stealing Lesley Manville)  The first half of the film is bathed in the soft tones of yellow night lights. Becoming a fecund green as we enter the darkened jungle, the surreal nature of its drug induced dream scenes brilliantly realised. By Lee's return to Mexico City much later, the gay district has changed into cooler fresher blues, its literally cleaned up its act. 

This is Daniel Craig's film from start to finish, its the best performance I've ever seen him give, garnering award nominations along the way. Starkey is suitably enigmatic eye candy. There are cameo appearances by Jason Swartzman as Joe Guidry, an Alan Ginsberg type, and Drew Droege plays John Dume the classic arch eyebrowed aging gay man who you'll find in a gay bar anywhere, in any time period.

Luca Guadagnino's film of Queer, with a script by Justin Kuritzkes melds its rough edged narrative source with Guadagnino's altogether more polished and smoothly mannered film stylisation. Some reviewers have not liked this, and found its two and a quarter hour length an indulgence in which the characters lost all direction. I did not find that to be at all a true representation in my experience. The use of music often three decades later than its period setting, was actually utilised to beautifully counterpoint themes and moods. All adding to the overwhelming sense of loveless ennui inhabiting an unrequited life.   

CARROT REVIEW - 6/8