Illustration by Mia Turner
This movie took longer to process than most; it left me drained, and that’s how you know it was good.
It wasn’t the eroticism of the plot or the dynamics of the characters that threw me for a loop. Rather it was the structure and style that left me so invested in the outcome and wellbeing of the characters when the curtains closed.
Call Me by Your Name, directed by Luca Guadagnino, follows an affair in Northern Italy in the Summer of 1983 between a 17-year-old Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalamet) and his father’s student resident, 24-year-old Oliver (Armie Hammer),
In these beginning scenes, the mood is being set and the tension between the soon to be lovers is being established, so not much is going on. In fact, if you were to remove the first thirty minutes of the movie little of the meaning would be lost.
But even after saying that I still wouldn’t want anything removed. The styling of this movie is good enough to make up for it.
Beyond the fact that it is shot in a gorgeous Italian town, which in itself is amazing, the painstaking detail and thought that clearly went into each scene makes it so incredible. Much of the plot of the movie is communicated not through dialogue, but rather the cinematography — which is no easy feat.
However, it doesn’t hurt to have good actors as well, and Chalamet’s performance was excellent. His easy going demeanor is calculated with an uncertainty that becomes more clear as the movie progresses. This complex personality coupled with his spot-on teen angst makes for an excellent performance.
Despite his incredible showing, Chalamet was not the character that left the biggest impression. That honor goes to Elio’s dad, Mr. Perlman (Michael Stuhlbarg) because of the incredible monologue he delivers toward the end of the movie.
In a movie with limited dialogue, this rather substantial and continuous monologue comes as a surprise. It comes in a conversation he has with his son where he tells him about love and loss and how import it is to feel. Yes, this may sound corny, but trust me this scene will leave you feeling some type of way.
It is important to address the common concern people have with this movie: given their age difference one would assume there is a certain power dynamic between Oliver and Elio, however, that isn’t the case. Their exchanges and relationship throughout the movie are very mature and equal.
The age difference was clearly not meant to be a significant part of the movie—it’s not even brought up by any of the characters. And while a very technical point given that this is a work of fiction, the legal age of consent in Italy is fourteen.
Call Me by Your Name was nominated for four Oscars including best picture and Chalamet for best actor in a leading role. The competition is intense this year, but don’t be surprised if Call Me by Your Name takes home at least a couple.