Here’s the trailer for Luca Guadagnino’s “Queer.”
Last month, A24 acquired U.S. distribution rights to “Queer,” starring Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey. A24 was initially concerned by the film’s 200-minute runtime and asked Guadagnino to trim the film down to a releasable length (135 minutes). Queer’s budget is said to be around $53M.
Based on William S. Burroughs’ controversial novel, and loosely inspired by the author’s life, I would love to think that one day we’ll get to see the 3-hour 20-minute director’s cut of the film. Venice Film Festival chief, Alberto Barbera, stated that he preferred the lengthier version to the trimmed down one that was screened in September.
Craig, in what might just be his best performance, plays a man who spends his time in Mexico, surviving on the subsidies handed out by the US government following World War II. He has an alcohol problem, and a dependence on heroin. Things get complicated when he becomes romantically obsessed with a young student named Eugene Allerton (Starkey).
SPOILERS … The last stretch of the film, involving an ayahuasca trip, is a real trip and although I don’t necessarily think Guadagnino’s surreal gamble pays off, it’s a rather bold way to end the film on.
I have to also recognize how gorgeous looking this film is. Thai cinematography wizard Sayombhu Mukdeeprom (“Uncle Boonmee,” “Call Me By Your Name”) uses the Cinecitta sets to produce the dreamiest of images. Guadagnino shoots with total and utter control of style and framing. This is is easily one of the cinematic highlights of the fall.
Lesley Manville, Jason Schwartzman, Henrique Zaga, and Omar Apollo also star in “Queer.” The film opens in limited release on November 27.