«Call Me By Your Name» (2017): A Mini-Review

I saw Call Me By Your Name yesterday and I cannot stop thinking about it. It is quite possibly the single most heartbreakingly beautiful film I have ever seen in my life. Hence why I felt compelled to write this mini-review, to express my undying love for this incredible story.

Directed by Luca Guadagnino, Call Me By Your Name tells the story of Elio Perlman, a 17-year-old American boy who lives in the Italian countryside with his family. His father is a professor of archeology and he invites one of his American graduate students, Oliver, to live with them for six weeks and help with his academic paperwork. Soon, Elio and Oliver begin to spend a lot of time together, flirtatious seduction ensues and they end up falling hopelessly in love with each other. The film takes place in the summer of 1983 in Northern Italy, which is the most perfect setting for swimming, dancing, bike riding and, of course, a sensual summer romance.

OLIVER: So what does one do around here?
ELIO: Wait for the summer to end.

Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer, who play Elio and Oliver, respectively, are absolute perfection. They met for the first time during production in the idyllic small town of Crema and spent quite a lot of time together before filming began. Timmy, who had been in Crema for about a month, showed Armie around on their bicycles (much like Elio and Olivier do in the film) and took him to the local restaurants, where they really got to know each other. The bond that they developed during this period translated itself perfectly onto the screen and they made me believe that they were actually in love with each other in real life (which, let's be honest, they kind of are). This level of realism is what makes the film extraordinary — along, of course, with Guadagnino's expert direction and James Ivory's outstanding script (based on the book by André Aciman). And let's not forget the outstanding performances by the supporting cast (especially Michael Stuhlbarg, who plays Elio's father) and Sufjan Stevens' stunning soundtrack.

ELIO: Tregua?

I have been slightly in love with Armie Hammer ever since I saw The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015) and I fell even more in love with him after watching Call Me By Your Name. He's a brilliant actor and if he keeps choosing the right roles, he has a bright future ahead of him.

But the real star of the film is, of course, Timothée Chalamet. Call My By Your Name was his first «serious» acting job and yet he made it seem as though he had been acting for years. He's so awkward and uncomfortable in interviews, but when he's in front of the camera he shows a kind of confidence that goes beyond his years. He is absolutely phenomenal! If he's any indication of what the future of Hollywood holds, then we have a lot to look forward to. Also, if he doesn't win an Oscar for this film, then there's something seriously very wrong with the world.

OLIVER: I would kiss you if I could.

Oh, by the way, it's Timmy's 22th birthday today. So, happy birthday, Sweet T.

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