Movies

Daniel Craig’s Queer is about so much more than just sex

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As a queer woman who has spent a significant part of my life navigating the complexities and nuances of connection, desire, and longing, I must say that Luca Guadagnino’s film “Queer” resonates deeply with me. His work has always been about delving into the human psyche, exploring the intricate web of love, lust, and the desperate attempts to avoid loneliness.

Queer spoilers follow.

At first glance, films directed by Luca Guadagnino are frequently characterized by bold physical sequences. These can range from violent actions like bone-breaking or consuming raw meat, to more intimate scenes such as peach filling or threesome tonguing. Each of his movies tends to feature memorable instances where intense, occasionally gruesome, physical acts become central to the discussions surrounding them.

In the same vein, it applies to “Queer,” Guadagnino’s fresh interpretation of William S Burroughs’ novella, where Daniel Craig wanders through Mexico City with a predatory desire.

An uninviting, rundown motel encounter initiates a sexual act, setting a somber mood, and subsequently introduces a more notorious sex scene – one of the most explicit portrayed, except in art films.

Similarly, just as there’s a depth beyond first appearances in films like Suspiria, Bones and All, Call Me by Your Name, and The Challengers, this also applies to the show Queer.

Daniel Craig's Queer is about so much more than just sex

It seems that the topic of sexual content in the series ‘Queer’ is drawing a lot of attention for two main reasons: firstly, the undeniable attractiveness of Daniel Craig and his co-star Drew Starkey, and secondly, due to a growing desire among viewers, as Hollywood has been moving towards more cleaned-up, even conservative productions in recent times.

In a conversation prior to the movie’s premiere (as reported by The Hollywood Reporter), Andrew Garfield, who doesn’t appear in the film, expressed his admiration for the scene in question. He described that specific moment as “truly stunning… incredibly tender and yearning.

It’s understandable that viewers might anticipate a lighthearted, fun-filled experience in “Queer” based on early critic reviews and hints of explicit content. However, “Queer” offers more than just that, as suggested by its deeper themes.

At first, Craig’s character exudes a confident demeanor before they have sex, noticeably during the Nirvana song interlude, but once the person he’s attracted to begins sending mixed signals, even after their intimacy, Lee’s insecurities start surfacing.

As a gamer, I can’t shake off the intrigue surrounding Eugene’s character. His enigmatic air, hinting at something more than what meets the eye, has me hooked. This unconfirmed aspect of his personality only fuels my desire to uncover every piece of him, to break through that mystique. This longing, this craving for Eugene, runs so deep, it seems to defy the boundaries of reality itself.

On multiple occasions, the invisible hand of Lee seems to reach out towards Eugene, yet he himself stands motionless, expressing his longing through this ethereal gesture. However, only those around him perceive this demonstration of his feelings; Allerton, who Lee yearns for this connection with, remains unaware.

It’s heart-wrenching to be almost able to grasp what you long for, yet it remains tantalizingly out of reach. This sensation is hard to put into words, but it might have been beautifully portrayed in the scene where Lee and Eugene watched ‘Orphée’ (1950) by Jean Cocteau, a movie that seems to encapsulate this feeling so poignantly.

Daniel Craig's Queer is about so much more than just sex

In the story, the main character traverses both the real world and a ghostly realm, seeking his companion. Meanwhile, Lee’s ethereal hand extends, not physically touching Eugene, but instead brushing against him in a ghostly gesture.

According to screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes, “It’s mentioned in the script,” he shared with Digital Spy. “I was thrilled when considering Luca as the director during my writing process, imagining how we could bring that concept to life. It’s a visual element that is quite prominent and integral to the world portrayed in the movie.

Craig added, “I’ve had similar feelings myself.” He explained, “It’s not just an idea or thought for me; it’s a powerful, persistent feeling that I’ve yearned for, desired, and envisioned. It’s an intense emotion that I can’t ignore.

The intense yearning for connection, rather than sexuality, is what primarily fuels Lee and the movie as a whole. This longing is something that many people can identify with, so they can connect with Queer on some level. However, there’s a particular quality about Queer that resonates deeply with the unique loneliness experienced by gay men.

It’s particularly applicable to older gay or queer men, such as Lee, who hail from past eras, which is why his intense efforts to establish a meaningful bond seem authentic and believable.

Due to the sexual encounters, Lee finds himself further entangled, believing that it indicates Eugene’s affection. However, this affection seems fleeting, returning to a state of distance once the sexual obligations are fulfilled between them.

As a gamer, I must admit that my character, Eugene, has quite the soft spot for Lee – he’s intriguing in a way that’s hard to ignore. But as our journey together through the dense jungles of Ecuador progresses, it seems we’re losing our rhythm, becoming less in tune with each other.

By the third act, Eugene seems increasingly distant, whereas Lee becomes increasingly passionate about finding Eugene and a legendary plant rumored to have psychic abilities, leading them both on an intriguing quest.

Daniel Craig's Queer is about so much more than just sex

In this location, “Queer” delves significantly deeper into the ethereal dimensions, which Lee’s wandering hands subtly suggested earlier. Interestingly, it’s here that the movie strays the most from its original source.

In the book, the Yage plant isn’t mentioned, but Kuritzkes saw an opportunity hidden within such a discovery. This could potentially fill the widening chasm between these two individuals, even if just for a brief, exhilarating instant.

In my perspective, the book I’m discussing seems to invite exploration. It swiftly opens a door, only to shut it just as quickly. This rapid opening and closing felt like an enticing invitation for the book to peer beyond the threshold and catch a glimpse of what lies ahead. And this tantalizing prospect is particularly intriguing when considering the captivating realm of cinema.

Watching that scenario play out on the big screen could surely be thrilling. It would be intriguing to discover if the outcome helped these characters in any way, whether it simplified their connections, or instead added another layer of complexity to their situations.

The experience leaves them in a captivating, frenzied state, transcending the physical realm and even thoughts as Lee and Eugene become one, their consciousnesses and bodies seamlessly blending together. This unique level of closeness is something Lee has been seeking all along – or at least that’s how it appears.

Daniel Craig's Queer is about so much more than just sex

At times, their thoughts align perfectly, almost as if they were playing a beautiful symphony together, but this harmony is temporary. The mental link that binds them often causes them pain when Eugene recognizes the intensity of their bond and pulls away, fearful of making a deeper commitment and plunging into that abyss.

It’s a devastating revelation for Lee that embodies the true heart of Queer, even more than the actual hearts they hallucinate throwing up just moments before. Because yes, Queer is about connection and longing, which does include sex, but it’s also about the loss of that connection and what happens when yearning comes to define your time on this earth above all else.

In the closing scenes of the movie, I found myself reflecting on Lee’s lifelong quest for human connection, which ultimately led to solitude. It seems inevitable, because bonds between people are fleeting at best. They may weaken over time or be shattered by life’s cruelties, leaving us alone once more. The permanence of connection is an illusion, and chasing after it can sometimes be more heart-wrenching than never experiencing love in the first place.

In Guadagnino’s work, physical delight frequently takes center stage because each of his movies explores the underlying motivations that make us so compelled by our sexual desires.

The blending of love, passion, and the desperate longing to avoid solitude are remarkably similar to how Lee and Eugene interact during their journey, and this fusion frequently leads to equally tragic outcomes.

Queer is out now in UK cinemas.

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2024-12-13 20:49

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