Call Me By Your Name (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'Call Me By Your Name' (directed by Luca Guadagnino, of I Am Love, A Bigger Splash; and adapted by James Ivory from Andre Aciman's novel) is a sensual, transcendent story of first love: impermanent & passionate. It's the summer of 1983 in picturesque northern Italy, where Elio Perlman (Timothee Chalamet), a precocious 17 yr. old, spends his days in his family's sprawling 17th c. villa reading, writing, playing classical music & flirting with the pretty Marzia (Esther Garrel). Elio enjoys a close bond with his father (Michael Stuhlbarg), a distinguished multi-lingual professor specializing in Greco-Roman culture, & his adoring mother Annella (lovely Amira Casar), a translator, who offer him high culture in a locale that bursts with nature's delights.
While Elio's intellectuality suggests that he's mature beyond his age, there is MUCH that yet remains innocent about him; particularly about matters of the heart. One morning, 24 yr. old Oliver (Armie Hammer), a charismatic, handsome American grad student working on his doctorate, arrives for 6 weeks as the annual summer intern tasked with helping Elio's dad. As the summer unfolds, Oliver casually befriends impulsive Elio, not realizing that his seductive aura has awakened Elio's youthful zeal -- though he likes girls, nothing fulfills him as much as being around Oliver. They while away the days riding bikes, exploring sights, reading 16th c. French romance novels, eating wonderful meals, roaming the apricot orchards, swimming in lakes & basking in the sun wearing short swim trunks.
On an emotional roller coaster, Elio is desperate for amorous affection; bursting at the seams to leap into Oliver's arms. Oliver is aware of Elio's blossoming carnal knowledge, but is initially too reserved to make a move. Although both men have dalliances with local women during this sun-drenched summer, it's fascinating to watch them ever-so-reluctantly allow themselves to give-in to their feelings. Their chemistry is overwhelming and, once they set aside their misgivings, the sparks fly; resulting in the explosive euphoria of the eventual sex scenes (which are filmed with restraint & sweetness, not raw sexuality). Later, the anguish in them having to say goodbye at the end of the summer is pretty unbearable for Elio. And the final minutes feature a wise, tender-hearted, idyllic speech by Elio's father that will move most people; particularly those who've ever longed for such a moment of parental acceptance & guidance.
The romantic drama in 'CMBYN' is more convincingly realized than most cinematic love stories. A study in emotion & mood, Guadagnino directs with sensitivity; finding humanity in every scene, a sense of living 'in the moment', & perfectly capturing those lazy, hazy days of summer; reminding us of a simpler time when vacations were escapes and the possibility for adventure was around every corner. The pacing of the film is dreamy & languorous; feeding into that lazy summertime atmosphere. Some audiences might get impatient, but I was riveted to every fleeting moment. The scintillating cinematography by Sayombhu Mukdeeprom captures the rich work of art that IS an Italian summer. Surfjan Stevens provides superb original songs into the already stellar soundtrack. And all the actors are incredible.
Michael Stuhlbarg, who also shines in this yr.'s The Shape of Water, enchants in the background for most of the film until he gives that impassioned speech to his son about the importance of embracing pain; what a stunner. Armie Hammer typically plays the macho action hero type, so the scholarly, seductive role of Oliver is a challenging departure. Freed from glossier, Hollywood expectations, the all-American golden boy Hammer shows an unexpected depth & range -- bravo to him.
Hammer also exhibits great chemistry with the younger Timothee Chalamet, whose adorable awkwardness & infectious enthusiasm contrasts Hammer's steadfast confidence. Chalamet is simply astounding; playing Elio with the right balance of cerebral maturity & emotional self-doubt. His face is a canvas of strange, unpredictable, wonderful behavior. And his expression of heartbreak at the movie's end is utterly revealing; revealing to his mother, revealing to us; as the camera holds on his face throughout the duration of the end credits -- amazing. Simply put, 'CMBYN' is a quiet masterpiece of nuanced emotions, breathtaking beauty & profound sensuality-- a rapturous & heartbreaking love story about a never-to-be-forgotten summer.
While Elio's intellectuality suggests that he's mature beyond his age, there is MUCH that yet remains innocent about him; particularly about matters of the heart. One morning, 24 yr. old Oliver (Armie Hammer), a charismatic, handsome American grad student working on his doctorate, arrives for 6 weeks as the annual summer intern tasked with helping Elio's dad. As the summer unfolds, Oliver casually befriends impulsive Elio, not realizing that his seductive aura has awakened Elio's youthful zeal -- though he likes girls, nothing fulfills him as much as being around Oliver. They while away the days riding bikes, exploring sights, reading 16th c. French romance novels, eating wonderful meals, roaming the apricot orchards, swimming in lakes & basking in the sun wearing short swim trunks.
On an emotional roller coaster, Elio is desperate for amorous affection; bursting at the seams to leap into Oliver's arms. Oliver is aware of Elio's blossoming carnal knowledge, but is initially too reserved to make a move. Although both men have dalliances with local women during this sun-drenched summer, it's fascinating to watch them ever-so-reluctantly allow themselves to give-in to their feelings. Their chemistry is overwhelming and, once they set aside their misgivings, the sparks fly; resulting in the explosive euphoria of the eventual sex scenes (which are filmed with restraint & sweetness, not raw sexuality). Later, the anguish in them having to say goodbye at the end of the summer is pretty unbearable for Elio. And the final minutes feature a wise, tender-hearted, idyllic speech by Elio's father that will move most people; particularly those who've ever longed for such a moment of parental acceptance & guidance.
The romantic drama in 'CMBYN' is more convincingly realized than most cinematic love stories. A study in emotion & mood, Guadagnino directs with sensitivity; finding humanity in every scene, a sense of living 'in the moment', & perfectly capturing those lazy, hazy days of summer; reminding us of a simpler time when vacations were escapes and the possibility for adventure was around every corner. The pacing of the film is dreamy & languorous; feeding into that lazy summertime atmosphere. Some audiences might get impatient, but I was riveted to every fleeting moment. The scintillating cinematography by Sayombhu Mukdeeprom captures the rich work of art that IS an Italian summer. Surfjan Stevens provides superb original songs into the already stellar soundtrack. And all the actors are incredible.
Michael Stuhlbarg, who also shines in this yr.'s The Shape of Water, enchants in the background for most of the film until he gives that impassioned speech to his son about the importance of embracing pain; what a stunner. Armie Hammer typically plays the macho action hero type, so the scholarly, seductive role of Oliver is a challenging departure. Freed from glossier, Hollywood expectations, the all-American golden boy Hammer shows an unexpected depth & range -- bravo to him.
Hammer also exhibits great chemistry with the younger Timothee Chalamet, whose adorable awkwardness & infectious enthusiasm contrasts Hammer's steadfast confidence. Chalamet is simply astounding; playing Elio with the right balance of cerebral maturity & emotional self-doubt. His face is a canvas of strange, unpredictable, wonderful behavior. And his expression of heartbreak at the movie's end is utterly revealing; revealing to his mother, revealing to us; as the camera holds on his face throughout the duration of the end credits -- amazing. Simply put, 'CMBYN' is a quiet masterpiece of nuanced emotions, breathtaking beauty & profound sensuality-- a rapturous & heartbreaking love story about a never-to-be-forgotten summer.