Call Me By Your Name

Movie, 2017, R

Premise - Every summer, 17-year-old Elio's father invites one of his graduate students to come live with his family in Northern Italy to study art and history. This summer, the prodigal student is Oliver, a 24-year-old man with whom Elio develops a secret sexual and romantic relationship.


Review - Let me start by saying.... I can seldom remember other films that feel so strongly grounded in reality. Everything from the dialogue to the physicality is just all so, SO real. It's very reminiscent of classic Italian cinema (i.e. Bicycle Thieves). Usually, that's a turn-off for me, as I love romanticized films. But in this particular case, the story is already so naturally and organically romantic, it doesn't need further romanticization. Much of the movie is about noticing and appreciating the organic, physical beauty of all life. It's perfect as it is.

While beauty thematically applies to all life forms in this story (including peaches), there is a particular focus on the human figure. Bodies are ubiquitous to this film. Oliver and his professor study old Roman statues, and how the sculptors were able to capture the human essence. The film also takes place in the hot Italian summer, meaning Elio and Oliver are nearly naked in every single scene. I can barely recall shirts. The camera stays close to Elio's body throughout most of the film, and I cannot remember having more appreciation for the human form than when I was watching Timothee Chalamet act gracefully as Elio. His body, though slim and small, is profoundly beautiful.

Apart from visual stimuli, the film has a strong emphasis on sensuality and physical touch. There is not only a longing to touch another, but that sense of touch is gratified. The film takes place in Italy, a country which culturally feels much less shame around human bodies. There are many displays of platonic physical affection between family members, close friends, and partners, as well as immense openness about sexuality. All in all, it is an incredibly erotic film - not in a salacious way, as the film is incredibly tasteful. I would not necessarily say that what Oliver and Elio shared was romantic love. While they were connected on an emotional level, most of what made their relationship special was the profound lust the two had for one another. In this film, lust isn't treated as a vice or a sin. Lust is beautiful. Human eroticism is beautiful.

I loved nearly everything about this film, except one major aspect - Oliver. Oliver is the second main character; he's the love interest, supposedly the object of affection, and I just couldn't get attached to him. I found him entitled and arrogant and he made it difficult to "ship" the relationship. When Oliver says the famous line "call me by your name" and then he says "Oliver" out loud, it just sounds like he's being turned on by his own name. Armie Hammer also looked too old for the part. On the other hand, Elio has to be one of my favorite characters in film that I've come across in a long time. His introverted nature is extraordinarily relatable to me. Timothee  Chalamet gave such an incredibly believable performance. Even though I myself was not attached to Oliver, just seeing the lust in Elio's eyes was enough.

I also loved the moral of the story, summed up by the iconic monologue Elio's father delivers at the end of the film. We have these incredibly beautiful and earnest human temptations - don't shut yourself off from them. Experience the full range of the human emotion. There will be extraordinary sadness, yes, but with it comes profound joy. (82/100)

Quote - "How you live your life is your business, just remember, our hearts and our bodies are given to us only once. And before you know it, your heart is worn out, and, as for your body, there comes a point when no one looks at it, much less wants to come near it. Right now, there's sorrow, pain. Don't kill it and with it the joy you've felt"."

What to watch for - Timothee Chamalet's physicality as Elio. That includes his facial expressions, his bodily movements... everything. What an organic performance.

If you liked this movie, I'd recommend Brokeback Mountain!

Based on the novel by Andre Aciman.
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Distribution Company: Sony Pictures Classics