This movie and review are going to be difficult for me…
The depth of this film has me paralyzed…
I feel like words are just not enough, but, here we go…

Call Me By Your Name is a love story. An unconventional love story. It represents a moment in time between two people that they will likely never forget.

Elio Perlman is a 17-year-old boy living with his parents in 1983 Italy. And he’s trying everything at least once… His father is a professor of Archaeology and has invited Oliver, a graduate student, to study and summer with them. This is the story of how Elio and Oliver find their relationship…

Story: This story is adapted from a book by Andre Aciman.. the screenplay was written by James Ivory and Luca Guadagnino. Guadagnino is also the director.

First, the story itself as written by Andre Aciman is beautiful. AND, from what I’ve read, he thought Ivory and Guadagnino did a better job of telling the story than the book. Now I have to read the book to be sure, but, I can’t imagine a more or less thoughtful interpretation.

The writers do an excellent job of making these characters feel real and getting the viewers to invest emotionally in each of them. But most importantly, leaving us wondering what happens to the characters…

Performances: Timothee Chalamet as Elio is career-changing. He’s not a well known actor and very young, but, he passes my litmus test with flying colors. I really believed he is 17-year-old Elio Perlman. Armie Hammer plays Oliver and while his performance is good, it only survives and thrives next to Chalamet. I could still see Armie Hammer in the performance.

Elio’s father is played by Michael Stuhlbarg and his mother by Amira Casar. They represent what everyone should have as parents. They allow their 17-year-old son to try everything in safety and support and no one is trying to label it. Their scenes were brief but impactful and meaningful.

Of note: Elio and his father have a scene that is so powerful… I’m not sure if it’s the writing or the delivery – it might be both, but, I hope members of the Academy are paying attention at that moment… Stuhlbarg shows a depth of character ownership that commands the viewers attention as well.

Visual: It’s Northern Italy, Summer of 1983. The Perlman family live in a countryside villa near a lake. There’s a small village nearby. They ride bikes to get back and forth. It’s everything you imagine a Summer in Italy should be. The backdrop is beautiful.

A friend who saw the movie as well remarked to me that most of the film, the characters were in bathing suits. So much so that when I did see them fully clothed, it was a bit unsettling.

But, the one thing that will continue to stick out to me is a song… Love My Way by The Psychadelic Furs…

Because I was a teenager in the ’80’s, I know the song well. There are two scenes where they dance to the song. I could see the song. I could feel 1983. If you forget the story is set in 1983, this song brings the era back to life and defines the time. It fits perfectly in this story…

Rating: A-. I add the minus because there are a few places where, had the dialogue gone a different direction, it would have made the scene a little more complete. Having said that, it diminishes my affection for this movie none. Ultimately, it got to a place where as a viewer, it elevated you to a different level of understanding.

There is no judgement in this movie. It’s filled with acceptance and understanding. It’s not sexual as much as it’s emotional. No one gets hurt… no none is embarrassed… no one is punished. The worst thing that happens is that at some point they all have to face the reality that the Summer will end.

See Call Me By Your Name as soon as you can find a theater where it’s showing. Then when it comes out on DVD/Blu Ray, buy it… Yes, this is a buy… BUY IT…