Call Me By Your Name is a cinematic masterpiece with a universal story. Based on the novel written by André Aciman, the coming-of-age drama follows a 17-year-old boy’s first love and heartbreak.
The movie took 10 years in the making from the moment the rights to the novel were acquired back in 2007 up until its time on the big screen. The romantic relationship between Elio and Oliver leaves you reminiscent in your seat, hoping for the best. There is no doubt that it is definitely a rollercoaster of emotions from beginning to end.
It takes place somewhere in northern Italy in the mid-eighties. Elio Perlman is a Jewish American-Italian boy whose father is a professor of archaeology. Every year they invite over to their Italian residence an exchange student to help out the professor. This time around he invites Oliver, a 24-year-old Jewish American graduate student, that slowly but surely starts something special with Elio. The ending is not a happy one, but one can only wish it will be eventually for these characters. Through the entire movie, one feels like they are in a painting because it is visually stunning. As well, the soundtrack is beautiful and transporting. The screenplay includes a variety of languages such as English, Italian, French and German which help to complete the entire European experience.
Luca Guadagnino worked well with James Ivory’s vision with the screenplay and André Aciman’s original work from the novel. It has become an instant classic, and it is appreciated by a community that is getting to see themselves in a film that is being critically acclaimed so widely. There is no doubt why it has been nominated for Best Picture and has already won for its screenplay at the 23rd Critics’ Choice Awards among other award shows. Ivory allowed Elio to move fluently throughout the movie with a mask of indifference until it is shattered in that final scene that leads viewers through the credits—if one wishes to stay with him.
Is it Oscar worthy? No question about it. Does it deserve to be Best Picture? I would love to see it be awarded so. It is a sensual collage of eye-catching moments that awaken the senses. Both Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer deliver, especially Chalamet. He embodies Elio and is able to be a nonchalant young man that is dazed and in love. Also, a surprise performance was that of Michael Stuhlbarg as Elio’s father, Mr. Perlman. His speech to Elio about love and experiences being important no matter what comes of those happenings sets the tone and message of the movie. The rest of the character performances were nothing short of believable, and the setting definitely took life. It felt like more than just a movie, as if Elio himself were telling this to you. On its premiere night, Call Me By Your Name received a ten-minute standing ovation, which was the longest standing ovation ever at the New York Film Festival.
Call Me By Your Name has a total of four nominations for this Sunday’s award show. These are: Best Writing Adapted Screenplay for James Ivory, Best Actor for Timothée Chalamet, Best Original Song for “Mystery of Love” and Best Picture. Having only four nominations is a bit disappointing considering the beautiful cinematography at play with the usage of art and sculptures through Mr. Perlman’s profession and the opening credits, but the film is definitely deserving of them. Hopefully, it will win again for its screenplay because it was a beautiful and realistic story that should be told and accepted more often in cinema.
It is predicted to win at least three out of its four nominations. Let us hope for the best. In the meantime, please do yourself a favor and watch this wonderful film.
Image credits from call me by monet on Twitter. Thumbnail credit.