Call me by your name' by luca guadagnino

It’s hard to describe ‘ Call Me by Your Name’. Adapted from Andre Acimen’s 2007 award winning novel, Luca Guadagnino’s film tells the story of a blossoming summer love between a young 17-year-old and his father’s 24-year-old doctoral student. It’s an artistic masterpiece filled with an explosive mix of beauty, emotion, and love. It’s set beneath the hot Italian sun, summer skies, and amidst the bright green gardens of “ Somewhere in Northern Italy.” This film is a triumph for the way it turns literature into cinematic beauty with all its raw, unforgiving emotion. To put it simply; it’s beautiful, devastatingly beautiful.

It’s a heartbreakingly gorgeous gay love story, yet it’s not at all about coming out, instead it captures the beauty in coming of age. It has all the intensity and sensuality of an erotic film but that isn’t what it’s about. Instead of focusing on sex or sexuality, it hammers the audience with a beautiful sensation which is fraught with emotion and love.

Amongst the romantical and sensual delight, a life-altering romance is born between two young men who at first seem at odds with one another. ‘ Call Me by Your Name’ follows six magical weeks in the Italian summer of 1983 and lingers over a summer fling between the intelligent and quick-witted Elio (Timothee Chalamet) and the confident and charming Oliver (Armie Hammer). In Elio’s luxurious family villa, along with his loving and care-free parents (Amira Casar and Michael Stuhlbarg) they welcome their yearly college graduate student who this time is Oliver.

From the very start of the film, the chemistry between the two leads Chalamet and Hammer is incredibly evident and their portrayal of Elio and Olivers dynamic is beyond perfect. Although they are not always head over heels for each other as their relationship starts off a bit rocky and Elio is taken up with his childhood friend, Marzia (Esther Garrel). They initially flirt through trying to be better than one another, playing coy, and teasing, yet before they even touch, the spark between them is undeniable. Whether it’s casual talks at the dinner table or simple bike rides along the tree-lined roads of the countryside, each scene between them is filled with an unmistakable tension. After an hour of being steadily introduced to these characters and their beautiful relationship, Elio and Oliver reveal their love for each other and it feels undoubtedly real and sincere.

The lingering sensation that this has to end might be the most profound part of the film. A sense of melancholy lingers over every scene, from when they first meet to when they have to say their final goodbyes. Despite everything the two do together being seen as lovers hiding in plain sight, every character in the film seems completely fine with their forbidden love. It’s a refreshing change from most gay romances, the film doesn’t spend a single second worrying about what the world might think about them. It’s like sin doesn’t exist in this films language.

Although the pace of the film may seem slow at first, Guadagnino is patient with his pacing and establishing the characters and setting and it works flawlessly. After all, there’s no need to hurry, it’s summer in 1983 Italy, what’s there to do besides going for afternoon strolls by the lake, lolling in the green grass, and discussing politics in whatever European language you like. The film’s incredible score from composer John Adams mixes numerous pieces of music, including two hit singles from Oscar nominated Sufjan Stevens. From the plaintive soundtrack to the visual beauty, it’s as if this film is unreal.

‘ Call Me by Your Name’ finds a way to beautifully intertwine love, loss, and desire all within this compelling, intoxicating story. This film excels in the way it portrays true love and living, it’s a spellbinding experience which hums throughout the entire film like electricity. It delivers an unforgettable and impactful sensation towards the world and its audience. ‘ Call Me by Your Name’ will leave you lost in thought and feeling for days, it is undoubtedly the best film of 2017.