Call Me by Your Name

It's the summer of 1983 in Palo, a picturesque Italian town surrounded by rolling hills and sun-drenched vineyards. Elio, a seventeen-year-old literature student, is struggling to come to terms with his own desires and sense of purpose. His father, Professor Perlman, has invited an American research assistant, Oliver, to spend the summer at their estate, assisting with a music project that involves recording Bach's piano compositions. Oliver, in his early thirties, is charming, intelligent, and confident, with an air of sophistication that sets him apart from the provincial locals. As he settles into the household, Elio is immediately drawn to the stranger, but also feels a sense of unease and insecurity. Oliver's easygoing nature and willingness to engage with Elio's interests - music, literature, and philosophy - creates a sense of connection, but Elio is aware that their social differences are significant, and he is uncertain about how to navigate these feelings. Initially, Elio and Oliver maintain a formal distance, with Oliver often referring to Elio as "young man" or "kid." However, as the summer progresses, Elio finds himself growing increasingly dependent on Oliver's company, and Oliver, sensing Elio's vulnerability, begins to reciprocate his interest. Their initial interactions are often brief and matter-of-fact, but there is a palpable tension between them, a awareness of a deeper connection that neither is prepared to acknowledge. As the days turn into weeks, Elio and Oliver's relationship deepens, with Oliver teaching Elio how to play the piano, introducing him to new music, and engaging in thought-provoking conversations about life, love, and art. Elio, in turn, introduces Oliver to the local culture, sharing his passion for Italian literature and history. Their conversations are often laced with humor, wit, and a deep emotional intimacy, as they explore themes of identity, desire, and belonging. Despite the increasingly close bond between them, Elio is acutely aware of the social stigma surrounding their relationship. He knows that in the eyes of his family and friends, Oliver is a much older man, and he cannot shake off the feeling that their love is somehow illicit or taboo. Furthermore, Elio is conscious of Oliver's impending departure at the end of the summer, and the thought of their impending separation fills him with anxiety and despair. As the summer wears on, Elio and Oliver's relationship becomes more explicit, with shared glances, touch, and intimate moments in the garden or by the swimming pool. However, they both know that they must keep their love a secret, hidden from the prying eyes of the outside world. Elio's father, sensing his son's unhappiness, offers words of wisdom and encouragement, but even he is unaware of the depth of their connection. The film's use of stunning visuals, sumptuous music, and lyrical prose creates a dreamlike atmosphere, capturing the languid, sun-drenched quality of the Italian summer. The performances of Armie Hammer and Timothée Chalamet are stunning, conveying the complexity, nuance, and vulnerability of their characters. The film's director, Luca Guadagnino, brings a level of sensitivity and emotional depth to the narrative, balancing the joy and beauty of the Italian landscape with the pain and complexity of the characters' emotions. In the end, Call Me by Your Name is a beautiful, poignant, and deeply moving film that captures the exhilaration and heartbreak of first love. The ending is both heart-wrenching and uplifting, as Elio and Oliver must come to terms with the reality of their situation and the knowledge that their love may be doomed from the start. The film leaves the audience with a sense of hope and possibility, as Elio looks to the future with a newfound sense of self-awareness, determination, and the knowledge that he will carry the memory of Oliver with him always.