14/49
In 1950s Mexico City, an American immigrant in his forties lives a lonely life in a small American community. But 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 her boyfriend” after seeing Starkey… William Lee: Sit on your ass! Or what’s left of it after four years in the Navy.. On the Graham Norton Show: Daniel Craig / Nicola Coughlan / Jesse Eisenberg / Kieran Culkin / Flo (2024). I’ve never seen ‘Southern Naked’. (1991), but I often think about 2024. Queer screening at the London Film Festival: This was probably to be expected since William S. Burroughs provided the source material for both films.1950s Mexico, William Lee, American writer from the wrong side of the…forties? fifties? He spends his days drinking, shooting, and casually having sex with other men. One day, a muscular, intelligent young man, Eugene, walks into a bar, and Lee is smitten. But what does Eugene himself want? There’s also the telepathic drug to think about… I’m not sure what director Luca Guadagnino is going for stylistically with this film. The sets are almost entirely decorated in block colors β dull reds and olive greens, for example β and have that vaguely unrealistic, clean Technicolor look that makes you think it’s a nod to the films of the era in which the film is set. But if that’s the case, why the distinctly 1950s rock and techno soundtrack? Daniel Craig (is it my imagination or is he starting to sound like Sid James?) is stuck in the lead role because he has to babble nonsense all the time. Obviously not in his accent. Drew Starkey manages to give a more subtle performance as the manipulative Eugene, and he certainly looks ready. Lesley Manville is unrecognizable as a doctor living in the South American jungle – great job by the makeup team! It’s the kind of film that feels more about the art style than the storytelling content to me. It was good to see once, but I won’t watch again.