Call Me by Your Name (2017) - Film Review

Unexpectedly romantic and touching! This tale that happens during the summer of love in the year 1983 was a critical darling that managed to nab the Oscar for adapted screenplay. The story revolves around Elio, a cultivated teenager from a small town in Northern Italy who becomes trapped in the "mystery of love" when an american arrives to do some work with his father. Unlike last year's Moonlight who had a more expository role in describing three stages in the life of a young gay man, Call Me by Your Name takes its time with the lead, making us more familiar with the environment first. There's a constant warm feeling throughout, the summers are incredibly hot and Guadagnino has a beautiful way of showcasing it by using perfect photography on the trees, rivers, sweat and the overabundence of flies. Elio's passion for culture reflects into reading and playing the piano as he's waiting for the summer to pass. Timothee Chalamet deserves all the praise in the world for this strong and very hard to portray take on a coming of age story. In a brief scene, a character tells him the people who read are hiders and they don't like who they are and it perfectly fits as Elio searches for all the answers in the books until life decides to teach him a lesson. By the time they fall for each other, you're completely invested in their bittersweet moments, and come the end you'll probably even shed a tear. There are some scenes of profound sensibility as when after they separate Elio calls his mom to pick him up and he bursts into tears. There's an amazing monologue from his father: "I may have come close but I never had what you two have" and a final gut punching scene where they say goodbye to each other possibly for ever on the phone, while Sufjan Stevens' Vision of Gideon starts playing. The camera stays on Chalamet's face as he's taking in all the sorrow and then finally is ready to let go. A remarkable piece of work from Guadagnino that has plenty of things to say about love, with a delicate, warm feeling. One of the best films of the year! Daniel Craciun