#TIFF24: “QUEER” REVIEW

By Amanda Gilmore

Director Luca Guadagnino returns to TIFF with this beautiful tale of how desire and love can become addictive and lead to obsession in this adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ novel of the same name.

Burroughs’ work is known to be unadaptable. So rather than do a straight adaptation, Queer is a film about the man himself. We’re first introduced to Lee (Daniel Craig) in Mexico while searching for men to take to bed. But his repeated flings come to a halt when he meets Allerton (Drew Starkey). He quickly finds himself enamoured by Allerton and wants to always have him by his side.

Queer is a mesmerizing journey through love, addiction, and obsession. These heavy, beautiful themes are executed with precision thanks to Guadagnino’s excellent pacing and steady direction, along with the insurmountable performances from Craig and Starkey. The two have vibrant chemistry and give everything they have to their characters. Craig revels in Lee’s addictive personality that leads to a need to control. And Starkey delivers a star-making performance.

The Film’s hypnotic music by legendary musicians Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross and the dreamy Cinematography by Sayombhu Mukdeeprom is the icing on top of these indelible performances. In the third chapter, Guadagnino brings surrealist imagery to finalize this love affair. This will work for some and not others. But none can deny the beauty of it all.

Queer screens at TIFF ’24:

Mon, Sept 9 at 9:45 PM at VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre

Tues, Sept 10 at 3 PM at TIFF Lightbox

Fri, Sept 13 at 9:15 AM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Sat, Sept 14 at 4 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Sun, Sept 15 at 5:45 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto