Daniel Craig Praised by Critics at Venice Film Festival in Queer Reviews

“Queer” premiered in competition at the 2024 Venice Film Festival on September 3. This highly anticipated film is the second release this year from director Luca Guadagnino, who also presented the provocative tennis drama “Challengers.” The film stars Daniel Craig as William Lee, a pseudonym of author William S. Burroughs, who resides in Mexico City and becomes drawn to a younger man named Allerton, played by Drew Starkey. A24 has picked up the film for US distribution.

As of now, MetaCritic has recorded 13 reviews for the film, earning a “generally favorable” rating of 75. Individual reviews are divided: eight are positive, and five are mixed, but none are outright negative. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film boasts an 80% fresh rating from 10 reviews, with only two negative critiques.

David Rooney from Hollywood Reporter describes the film as “mesmerizing” and calls Craig’s performance “transfixing,” balancing colorful affectation with raw hunger. Ryan Lattanzio of IndieWire finds it “profound” and “kaleidoscopic,” highlighting Craig’s “brilliant” portrayal of inner torment worn on the outside. Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian praises Craig’s “excellent performance,” noting his neediness, moodiness, and horniness, comparing it to his roles in “Knives Out” and “Sylvia.”

Fionnuala Halligan of Screen Daily emphasizes the film’s strength in the “push-and-pull” relationship between Lee and Allerton, although she feels it lacks the haunting power of Burroughs’s “Naked Lunch.” Nicholas Barber from BBC agrees that Craig is “easily the best thing” about the film but remains uncertain about its overall impact, considering it intriguing but not gripping.

The critical reception of Guadagnino’s films has varied over the years, with his most acclaimed effort being the queer literary adaptation “Call Me by Your Name,” which scored a 94 on MetaCritic. The current score for “Queer” is similar to 2015’s “A Bigger Splash” and 2022’s “Bones and All,” both of which scored 74 and did not contend for Oscars. However, “Queer” may have a stronger awards potential due to the widespread praise for Daniel Craig. Despite his iconic roles like James Bond and Benoit Blanc, Craig has yet to receive an Oscar nomination, but his performance in “Queer” could change that.

Craig’s versatility in both major blockbusters and smaller projects showcases his range. With the passing of the Bond role, he might be just one significant role away from industry recognition. Robert Downey Jr.’s Oscar win for “Oppenheimer” after his lengthy tenure as Iron Man serves as a recent example of the industry’s appreciation for actors who balance commercial success with impressive dramatic performances. Similarly, actors like Julia Roberts and Sandra Bullock received Oscars for their dramatic roles in “Erin Brockovich” and “The Blind Side,” respectively. Is a similar celebration in store for Daniel Craig?

Source: Gold Derby