Directed by Luca Guardigno (Call me by your Name, Challengers) offers an adaptation that has both a brilliant storybook quality and a dark undertone of longing and loneliness. Guardigno creates visuals that he likely had as a teenager, reading the book with experimental use of effects and practical camera tricks that bring us into this dark fable. As one of the most skilled visual storytellers today, Guardigno creates a mood that communicates a lot through the visuals and allows the characters to simply live life. This avoids limiting the characters to merely serving the plot, as each one is very specific and well-realized through production design, costumes and acting from a wonderful ensemble that includes Jason Schwartzman, Lesely Manville and Omar Apollo beside stunning leads in Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey.
As Lee (Daniel Craig) wanders through Mexico City as an expat, he longs for connection and comfort. He eventually thinks that he will find it in Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey) who, like Lee, seems to be wandering in life. Yet unlike Lee, who wears his desire much more prominently, Allerton appears to be closed off and questioning who he is. Heather becomes indifferent to Lee at points and he hangs out with a woman a lot. Less insecurities seem to only be worsened by his questions about both his condition as a queer man and wondering who Allerton really is. To find out, Lee dares Allerton to explore beyond their normal horizons and the journey they take together may put them in the only vulnerable state where they can begin to understand one another.
By placing us in Lee’s perspective, the audience shares his vision of who Lee is. Like him, we only see the vision of love and care within, even if Allerton does not always move to return the same affection. It’s this mystery that grips us as Guardigno explores Lee’s soul and what he does in the absence and presence of love.
Queer is playing at TIFF ’24. For more information, click here.
