39/47
[telepathically] Eugene Allerton: I’m not queer
Line of Events
In the 1950s, an American man in his forties who had been in Mexico City lives a lonely life in a small American community. However, the arrival of a young student prompts the man to finally form a meaningful connection with someone. Daniel Craig eventually convinced Luca Guadagnino to play Drew Starkey after watching audition tapes with Guadagnino and telling him “That’s the guy” upon seeing Starkey’s.. Lee… I’m not queer.William Lee: I know.Eugene Allerton: I’m disembodied.. Features Orpheus (1950). QUEER. This word has more than one meaning.
What does he want?
The most common is “weird or strange.” The second most common word is “homosexual.” Both meanings apply to this film, but the first meaning is probably more appropriate. This film has much more in common with APOCALYPSE NOW than with BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN. The story concerns "Lee", a man in his fifties in 1950. He is an American who has achieved a certain level of material success and is now living a rather hedonistic expatriate life in Mexico. He is an alcoholic and in the early stages of drug addiction. He spends his days and nights hanging out in gay bars and having meaningless relationships with men with whom he has nothing in common except that they are homosexuals. It is an empty existence. He wants to be known.
He cannot put it into words
He meets a younger man who appears to be bisexual (his companion on the bar scene is a woman), but they begin a relationship. It is not very satisfying to him. He wants more from the younger man than the younger man is willing to give. Eventually he persuades him to accompany him on a trip to the jungles of South America to search for a plant containing a drug that will supposedly allow him to develop telepathic powers. He believes that this drug will allow him to understand what he wants without using words. He is told that there is a female shaman in the jungle who can buy him the plant. The two men enter the jungle and indeed find the woman, who, as played by Lesley Manville, is a brutal force – a knife-wielding, gun-toting old maid who seems bloodthirsty. They gain her trust, at least partially, but she warns them not to use the drugs.
The acting is also excellent
This will open doors they will not be able to close. I am glad I saw this film, but it is not for everyone. The ending is enigmatic, and the gay sex scenes may be too specific for some people. It is not quite sophisticated pornography, but, mainly due to the sound effects, it comes close. And the drug-induced hallucinations can also be very upsetting for some people. This film is wonderful to watch; the art direction and cinematography are excellent, and every scene is beautifully composed. It reminded me of Edward Hopper’s paintings, which depict objective mental isolation. Daniel Craig can break your heart by doing very little.
It’s a great performance
I predict that both he and Lesley Manville will receive Oscar nominations – Manville could win in the supporting actress category. It wasn’t until I saw her name in the end credits that I realized that it was the same actress who played the lead role in MRS HARRIS GOES TO PARIS. I think this film will become a staple of the art house circuit. It’s definitely worth more than one viewing.