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| Armie Hammer (left) and Timothée Chalamet in "Call Me by Your Name" Photo Credit: Imdb.com |
One of the great joys of cinema is seeing a film where, once it’s over, you have such a wonderful experience, that you want to watch the movie again right away. It’s a feeling that I wish I could have every time I went to the movies; but, at the same time, when it happens only every so often, it makes the viewing much more special.
I’m thankful to have felt this after seeing Luca Guadagnino’s coming-of-age drama, “Call Me by Your Name.” He crafts something that wraps you up in its emotional journey, and with stunning performances, an engaging screenplay, and passionate direction, Guadagnino gives us the best movie of 2017.
During the summer of 1983, Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalamet) is living abroad with his family in Italy as his father (Michael Stuhlbarg), a professor of archeology, focuses on his academic work. When a grad student, Oliver (Armie Hammer), arrives at their house to stay for a while and assist him, he and Elio begin a relationship that will change their lives forever.
Timothée Chalamet delivers the breakout performance of the year. As a young man who’s trying to understand the emotions that he’s experiencing, Chalamet is able to make us feel that sense of longing to have his love reciprocated by Oliver. He has an ability to transcend words in his quieter moments, whether he shows us a hint of jealousy, rejection, or something else, and all of this gives us an idea of what he's experiencing in any moment. This is a performance that grips you all of the way through and brings an unshakable dramatic power.
Although Armie Hammer is a talented actor, he hasn’t had a memorable role since he came onto the scene in 2010’s “The Social Network.” However, he’s now given a part where he can better display his abilities. He perfects the cavalier, laid-back attitude that helps put you in Elio’s position, with him feeling as if Oliver isn’t as interested in him as Elio is interested in Oliver. However, when it comes time for Oliver to open up to Elio about his feelings for him, Hammer’s soft-spoken nature of his character creates a welcoming persona as we feel relieved that he’s expressing his love for Elio.
One of the best things about Chalamet and Hammer’s performances is that they aren’t showy or overdramatic. Instead, they’re understated and subtle in their roles, creating a relationship that’s as gentle and warm as the sun-kissed landscapes over which their love unfolds.
While Michael Stuhlbarg’s character might not seem like he’s of much importance throughout the movie, that all changes within the last 10 minutes of the film. In these few minutes, he delivers a powerful monologue to his son that makes this scene one of the best and most heartfelt scenes of cinema this year.
The screenplay by James Ivory, which is based on André Aciman’s 2007 novel of the same name, may feel like a series of vignettes at times, but that’s because this type of story doesn't really need to operate within the confines of a traditional plot structure. It’s about a love evolving over the summer, with the two main characters going out on daily trips and spending time together to get to know each other and understand their relationship.
The Italian countryside, gorgeously photographed by cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, makes you feel as though you can feel the rays of the sun and the gentle summer breezes run across your skin. The expansive views of the ocean, the mountains, the fields, and the towns transport you to this idyllic locale, providing a backdrop that’s as unforgettable as the central relationship will be to Elio and Oliver, a place to build lasting memories, whether they be joyous or painful.
With Guadagnino’s direction, he captures the deliberate unfolding of Elio and Oliver’s relationship, allowing for the slow pace to help us become immersed in their growing connection. In each scene, he’s able to bring forth an abundance of romance and heartbreak, all of which creates a deep view of the connection between the two main characters. This is done most memorably in the final shot, one that has you think about what has transpired between Elio and Oliver, as well us what could happen further down the road. The shot lingers for a few minutes, and with all of the power held in this time, you’re unable to take your eyes off of it.
“Call Me by Your Name” is a film you can’t afford to miss. There’s so much emotion pulsing through its frames, that being able to watch this on a big screen is one of the luckiest things that can happen to a moviegoer this season, making this an opportunity you must embrace.
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