QUEER. This word has more than one meaning. The most widespread is "odd or strange." The second most common usage is "homosexual." Both meanings apply to this film, but the first meaning is probably more apt. This movie has far more in common with APOCALYPSE NOW than with BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN. The story concerns "Lee," a man in his early 50s in the 1950s. He's an American who has achieved a certain level of material success and is now living a relatively hedonistic expat life in Mexico. He is an alcoholic and is in the early stages of drug addiction. He spends his days and nights prowling the gay bars and having meaningless liaisons with men he has nothing in common with, except that they are homosexuals. It is an empty existence. What does he want? He wishes he knew. He cannot put it into words. He meets a younger man who seems to be bisexual (his companion in the bar scene is female), but they develop a relationship. It is not particularly satisfying to him. He wants more from the younger man than the younger man is willing to give. He finally talks him into accompanying him on a trip to the South American jungles to search for a plant containing a drug that allegedly will enable him to develop telepathic powers. He believes that this drug will enable him to understand what he wants without resorting to words. He is told that there is a female shaman in the jungle who can obtain the plant for him. The two men go into the jungle and do indeed find the woman, who, as played by Lesley Manville, is a ferocious force-a knife-wielding, gun-toting old gal who seems bloodthirsty. They at least partially win her trust, but she warns them against taking the drug. It will open a door that they will not be able to close.
I'm glad I saw this movie, but it's not for everybody. The ending is enigmatic and the gay sex scenes may be a little too specific for some people. It's not quite hard-core pornography, but, thanks mostly to sound effects, does come close. And the drug-induced hallucinations could be really upsetting to some people, too.
This film is gorgeous to look at; the art direction and cinematography are outstanding, with every scene beautifully composed. To me it was evocative of the paintings of Edward Hopper in its depiction of an objective isolation of the psyche. The acting is also outstanding. Daniel Craig can break your heart by doing very little. I predict that both he and Lesley Manville will get Oscar nominations-Manville may win in the Supporting Actress category. It wasn't until I saw her name on the end credits that I realized that this was the same actress who played the title role in MRS HARRIS GOES TO PARIS. This is a great performance.
I think this film will become a staple on the art house circuit. It certainly deserves more than one viewing.
