Call Me by Your Name

Guadagnino's cinematic brilliance shines out beautiful in this heart wrenching tale of love in it's purest form, with it's two puppets ignorant of it's likely consequence.

Set in the gorgeous, classical backdrop of rural northern Italy, Guadagnino sets aesthetics so closely synonymous with classical romance, presented an opportunity for the director to take full advantage of this, by using simple yet effective camera work and cinematography to produce a truly stunning piece of cinema to revel at and admire. This movie concerns itself with love, yes, but the version Guadagnino conveys is, it's in purest sense, unadulterated, unbiased desire. Being one and final instalment of his aptly titled 'desire' troligy . Do not be fooled by the advertisements to be duped into believing this is just a 'gay romance movie' as I've heard many refer to it. This is a study on desire devoid of all extraterrestrial factors, of all judgements and norms. The detail that the focal characters happen to be gay, and of different age is a dynamic that fully and successfully fulfils that vision the director wanted to convey. If you're looking for a beautiful, tear-jerking piece of cinematic gold, this I feel would overcompensate your needs a little bit.

I was touched by this movie in a way that surprises me. Since I watched it I have become a little bit more thoughtful and I’d probably stay this way for a long time.

The acting is great and using northern Italy gives it almost the perfect scenery for a movie of its kind. This movie is so tender that it may stay with you for the rest of your life or as my friend says, ‘it would change your thinking about love’.

At first I thought it was just a story about love and parenting, but, it is also a story about how we hold our personal experiences no matter how negative or positive it is, just as it is about a story of compassion.

I have had to ask other people who have watched the movie about what they think about it just to know if what I am feeling is different and they all seem to agree that it is a beautiful and touching story.

I believe it is no exaggeration to say that "Call Me By Your Name" is a cinematic masterpiece from the storyline, perfectly tailored soundtrack, to the beautiful shots of the Italian countryside. The film is a glorious combination of romance, longing and heartache which is simply breath-taking.



Luca Guadagnino’s film is based on the novel by André Aciman’s 2007 novel set on the Italian Riviera and sees the sudden, intense romance between Elio and his father’s house guest, Oliver, over six fleeting weeks in summer. Out of these brief six weeks an intense passion and desire pulls the two characters together in the little time they have. There is a wondrous foundation of music and literature that adds to this film’s authenticity and complexity with Sufjan Steven’s two especially composed songs – “Mystery of Love” and “Visions of Gideon” and an older, piano version of “Futile Devices” – injecting scenes with even more emotion.



Timothée Chalamet excels in this performance as Elio, treading the perfect line between vulnerability and lust that is complimented by Armie Hammer’s seductive performance as Oliver. It feels like each line and movement is all meant with purpose which was certainly helped by Guadagnino’s involvement as a director. The film was nominated for four academy awards and deservedly won best adapted screenplay among others.



There is almost a home-movie feel when Elio and Oliver pass the camera cycling lazily on their bicycles or the chirping of the cicadas of the evening. It isn’t glamorous or extravagant; it’s natural and that makes all the emotions feel that bit more real and intimate. Although this may be a film review, the music was integral to this film. Sufjan Steven’s songs complete the film and contrast each other, adding another layer of heartache and romance to the film. “Mystery of Love” has such a carefree feel that is reminiscent of wiling away summer days and also seems to provide a perspective for Elio. “Visions of Gideon” is slower – nostalgic, even – and commands heartbreak – the credits are certainly worth watching.



I believe that if you remove all the academy awards, praise for progression, music and scenery, "Call Me By Your Name" is a beautiful love story of total intimacy that urges you to make the most of the time you have and the beauty that surrounds us.