Queer

Finally got to see Queer last night and I fucking loved it! Luca Guadagnino adapted William S. Burrow’s novel flaws and all, so this is definitely going to be a divisive film. For as commercial and widely appealing as Challengers was I’d say Queer is the opposite. It can feel extremely meandering and doesn’t wear its heart on its sleeve but that is by design. Queer is about an individual who has such a hard time loving himself. It’s sadly enough something that I was really struggling with for a part of my life. It’s a story that many queers will relate to. In a world that rejects queer love as monstrous it can feel like there is almost nothing to do but descend into self loathing and addiction. Queer is about Lee’s journey to find love for himself but he looks in all the wrong places. Luca’s mastery of the craft is on display here. Some absolutely stunning cinematography, beautifully done score by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, and some very unique performances all mix together to make a film unlike I’ve ever seen. Between Queer and Challengers we really get to see Luca Guadagnino’s range as an artist. This is going to be a film that a lot of people get nothing from. In a way it’s a little like his Beau is Afraid. But it worked for me. I loved the multiple dream sequences and the psychedelic vibe to the film. I would definitely recommend doing some research into William S Burrows before watching the film. Queer is an extremely autobiographical story in which Burrows intentionally leaves out extremely important details. Don’t go into this expecting a film with the breakneck pace of Challengers or the beautiful love story of Call Me By Your Name. Queer is about a deeply broken man, a man from a bygone era. A man who’s story is usually now just a small part of Queer people’s stories, but used to be all consuming in a wildly homophobic world.