I can't even begin to express how much i adored this movie. Like, expectations were above the sky and still it didn't disappoint a bit.
Set in the Summer of 1983, Luca Guadagnino's movie is an ode to the first Summer loves, to those aestival times that growing up seemed endlessly but when encountering a lover it all went by so fast. That's the Summer for Elio (Timothée Chamalet), who is already waiting for Summer to end while vacationing with his family in Lombardy (Italy) as they do every year. That is until he meets Oliver (Armie Hammer), an American student who's working as an intern for Elio's father and therefore, he's staying with the family. At first, Elio is curious about the new guest, but soon developes some kind of aversion to him, mocking what he says and questioning anything he does, but at the same time keeping an eye close to him. And despite having a vacation fling with another girl, he soon finds himself attracted to Oliver, who's much older than him and who seems to enjoy his company. And what follows next is a series of small gestures, looks and actions that show little by little how both men are creating something special and as marvelous as it is when two people connect in that sort of way. Looks exchanged, hands that barely touch, feet that caress each other, a series of small moments heavily loaded with intention, but as simple as their two bikes laying on the other.
'Call Me By Your Name' is a joy to watch, not only because the photography is exquisite or because of the beautiful Italian landscapes during the season, but because of the way it portrays the feelings that are blossoming between Elio and Oliver. Maybe it's because of the fading nature of the romance, as they both will depart forever once Summer ends, but the emotions and feelings shown are the most precious kind: honest, true, heartfelt, where everything feels new and exciting and beautiful. And seeing that it overwhelms you in such a way that you are instantly trapped in their extraordinary romance leaving you heartbroken in the end, the way Elio does in that final and epic scene where he's facing the ache of the first broken heart. That ending, with the credits rolling and Sufjan Stevens' song 'Visions of Gideon' sounds while an amazing Thimotée Chamalet cries facing the bonfire is something beyond amazing. Director Guadagnino allows you to cry with him and to witness all his emotions through his face, as Chamalet really transmits everything he's feeling right then, putting and end to the stellar performance he delivers in the movie. Hammer is also really remarkable and extremely charming, and you can feel the chemistry that they have which is beyond amazing, but is Chamalet who carries the whole film.
Besides the two grand performers that the film has, another amazing thing that i adored was Elio's parents (played by Michael Stuhlbarg and Amira Casar), and the beautiful parenting and love that they provide to their son. The acceptance and tolerance of whatever makes their young son happy is something rare to see in that decade and even today, but it's something so precious that really moves you. That, alongside the heavenly portray that the director makes of the family vacation, so accurate with the boredom that Summer often provides, having breakfast, lunch and dinner on the garden, laying on the grass reading or having a swim in a river close by, are among the things that i adored, because Guadagnino really pictures what a Summer in those day was really like.
This movie really wins your heart only to break it into a hundred pieces, but it's so grand and true what you've seen that it stays with you. It might not have become one of my favorite films now but i think in time it will be one of them because it's gorgeous to watch and the familiarity that contains is something you wanna go back to, and i feel that everytime i'll watch it it will leave me the same feeling of having seen a really amazing film.
Below you can see the fantastic photoshoot by Alessio Bolzoni that he did for the movie's poster and after the cut a bunch a stills that i adored from the film. Enjoy!
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