Call Me by Your Name [Blu-ray] [Region B] [2017]

It's been a long time since I've seen a film so well crafted that it sticks in your mind and likely will in your memories too. There is something about a film where the silences tell you more than if it were constant dialogue or sounds. The way the script uses less dialogue was a strong point - the scriptwriter assumes the viewer has a brain instead of trying to explain everything. Sublime and beautiful; heartbreaking.

BEST FILM EVER I CRIED SO HARD AT THE END

This is one of the best films I have seen in ages, and one of the only movies in years to stay with me days, if not weeks after the viewing. This sensual and alluring film was adapted for the big screen by James Ivory, from a novel by Andre Aciman, immediately giving the piece a depth of understanding, that a screenwriter of his calibre brings to any project he's involved in. However, it is Luca Guadagnino's script and deftness of touch as a director, that stays with you. For so long I have been watching big budget CGI studio movies, and while I have enjoyed them for what they are, it is so refreshing to go back to basics and be reminded of what makes cinema great. For me that is what this film did. I am sure that this is will be referenced for many years to come, and represents a masterclass in it's genre. Sometimes directors make films throughout their career that hint at their talent but they never quite reach their peak, so many variables dictatate this. It so often not about ability directorial wise, or about the performances of those involved in any particular project, but an overall coming together of so many things, that make up what eventually becomes the finished product. Happily here we find that a perfect conbination of an amazing script, beautiful locations, lovely acoustics, an incredible cast, combined with stunning cinematography, which I am sure will stay in the minds of all who see it, for many years to come. The characterisations of all the cast are so realistic you cannot help but be drawn in by the heartfelt and moving roles that particularly the two leads playing Elio and Oliver provide. The Plot Elio Perlman is a seventeen year boy staying in Crema at his parents villa as he does every summer, where his father Mr Perlman welcomes a research fellow for 6 weeks every year to join them. This is how Oliver the object of the young mans affections appears in Elio's life and for the teenager it is love at first sight. However we as an audience watch this attraction between them evolve at first slowly with little hints, until it totally takes them over and they are totally unable to resist the feelings they have for each other and it is obvious they have fallen madly in love. What makes this so compelling is the way the two main protagonists are able to convey the depth of feeling Elio and Oliver have for one another, it is the little touches that made this so special. For example there is a scene where Elio has a nose bleed and Oliver rushes to see if he is ok. Although there is alot of physical contact it is in a non sexual way. Luca Guadagnino allows it to be just intimate enough to show how much these two people care about each other, but restrained enough to show how unsure the two men are about where this is going and what is at stake. I can't stress how brilliant the actors Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer are in their interpretation of the script, because in different hands this may have been less so. In Timothee's case his Elio is the centre of attention as the camera follows him as he grows in his awareness of his sexuality and the need to express it. This incredible actor portrays the part with so little self conciousness it is hard to distinguish him from his on screen counter part. He brings so much realism to his onscreen alterego it will be impossible not to have a lump in your throat at the end of all of it. For anyone who has seen the film or read the book they will already know that there are several scenes likely to go down in film folklore such as one involving a peach and the other regards the conversation that takes place between Elio and his dad that is one of the most profound and moving I have witnessed on screen, and worth the admission price alone. However, personally speaking, and without spoiling the ending for anyone, it is the closing four minutes of the credit roll that made me buy this on dvd, and have I watched it at least 6 times now as a stand alone moment. Timothee Chalamet's wordless Elio convey's so much to the audience literally through his sheer intelligence and understanding of his character, along with the atmospheric track evocatively sung by Surfan Stevens created especially for the moment that has systematically reduced many a viewer to tears. Boy, does this actor know how to use the intimacy, created by acting to a unmanned camera, to good effect. I understand he was also listening to the track while being filmed, which ultimately produces one of the most watchable and memorable moments in modern cinema. Just beyond any expectation I could have had. Pure loveliness and, also a very persuasive advert for the stunning beauty that is Italy itself. I didn't see this when it initially came out, and didn't really take any notice of it until the Oscar hype, so my only regret is not seeing this on a bigger screen.

Some excellent acting set in beautiful countryside with a good plot. Disturbing and provocative but well worth watching.

This movie gives a supremely excellent performance from Timothee Chalamet taking the viewer through the awakening of a young man’s sexual life and the pain of romantic love….. sensitively and brilliantly portrayed with dashes of absolute wisdom from his parents…. One of those films that must not be missed!

For a change the actors were not in the pretty boy/fantastic body mould, thank goodness. The skinny undeveloped body of Elio and the bigger built older Oliver perfectly contrasted and made the proceedings more realistic, they looked and acted like real people. The gentle speed of the picture, the use of a single lens camera and the fact it was shot more or less in sequence allowed the intimacy between all the characters to grow. Several things make this film quirky and at the same time memorable. The kissing is totally erotic, the sex is amazing because you don't see it, a few naked limbs and a strong imagination. Finally the peach scene, and yes we all remember that, the juice running down his naked flesh and the final act, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one to buy a peach and try it out all the way! As in real live the conversation lurches, there is silence. The atmosphere comes and goes, the tensions felt portrayed felt by the viewer. I did see it on the big screen, well bigger screen and was impressed so I got the DVD and watched at home where it is even more impressive and intimate an experience. There was so much in this film that reminded me of my early sexual gropings and attempts to come to terms with love. This was not two pretty boys who spent time in the gym working before working it out in the hay fields movie (nice as they might be) but a true coming of age/realization film full of brilliant moments, most of it will remain somewhere in my brain always, from the peach sequence (and who hasn't gone right out and tried that) to the fathers last words. Brilliant

A good appitation of the book. Well directed.

Ok, so positives and this is why I rated this with 3 stars. The cinematography is beautiful. It captures that small town feeling really well. It could be in any of these countries: France, Spain, Italy Greece. If you've ever been to any of those countries and driven into the countryside you'll find a town like this. Dusty roads, the town square, a bank, a bar, people sitting outside watching the world go by, wooden shutters on the pastel coloured buildings and a church. You can almost smell orange and peach blossom in the air. It's just beautiful and this film evokes lovely memories for me. SPOILER ALERTS SPOILER ALERTS So, the story: handsome, athletic, popular, charming, sexy guy arrives at a large house in the countryside ostensibly to finish his own thesis, but also help the incumbent professor with research. The family are all intelligent, artistic and talented in different ways. The son is a clever teenage boy whose knowledge all comes from reading and not from life experiences and so, as he says later in the film "he knows nothing" . He is unsure of his emotional feelings, is very immature, some would say precocious and doesn't know where his sexual orientation lies. These are pretty common experiences for an adolescent as far as I remember, although that was a very, very long time ago!!. He is obviously attracted to the American visitor, but then so is everyone else, quite understandably! Before continuing with the story, why do they converse with each other in different languages? French. german, italian? The boy even speaks french on and off with his female italian friend. Why exactly? I found it very tedious. My view of the relationship between the two varies considerably from other viewers. For me, the 20+ American seems to be 'grooming' the boy...drawing him in and pushing him away, but each time drawing him closer. The boy is very unsure about his sexuality and embarks on a sexual relationship with a female friend...to check things out. Oliver, the American, eventually has sex with Elio after a fumbled attempt by Elio whilst they are out cycling together (he grabs Oliver's crotch). Is it love? Well, in my opinion it wasn't, but obviously that's just my opinion. When Oliver has to return to the US at the end of the summer, the two head off together to spend some time alone with each other. One night Elio get very drunk and sick, meanwhile Oliver is dancing with a lady who happens to be listening to a song which Oliver knows. The two part at the railway station with the usual "I'll never forget you" speech and Elio returns home saddened by the loss of the man who gave him his first homosexual encounter. Forward to winter. The family have returned to their country residence. Oliver phones and speaks to Elio's parents first. He is then handed over to Elio and in the space of no time at all, announces that he is getting engaged in the spring! So, the love he had for Elio was so real that 4 months later he tell him he is about to marry. Well that's love for you! For the final scene, which in my view, is the best piece of acting in the film, Elio stares into the fire and says nothing, but his face speaks volumes. The acting is okay, although I found some of it wooden at times. There are moments of super acting and others where they just seem to be walking through the words. After watching the film I had to read the book just to see what I had missed. In the book it appeared to me that Elio was 'stalking' Oliver. He is especially jealous when Oliver disappears regularly at night time. For Elio, this can only mean one thing. Oliver is having sexual encounters with pretty much everyone and anyone. At one point he even imagines him having sex with their handyman. I couldn't find any reference to the finding of an Hellenic bronze in the book. Perhaps I missed it? Why put in a scene which doesn't exist in the book, yet leave out so many important scenes which do? The latter part of the book is very different from the film. The pair head off to Rome. They have been treated to a beautiful room in a posh hotel, courtesy of Elio's father. Quite different from the pensione in the film. Here Elio has a 'road to Damascus' experience. The beauty of Rome, the friendship of Oliver's fiends, the acceptance of their relationship, the freedom to be free. Yes, Elio, does get very drunk and yes he is sick. However, the scene where Oliver dances with a stranger? It doesn't happen. Why was that added when so much of importance was left out? Obviously to make a film based entirely on the book would made it far too long, I appreciate that. However, I felt that some parts were added/removed/altered quite unnecessarily. For me, "God's Own Country" was a far, far superior film. The cinematography in that was just as good as in CMBYN. Totally different of course, but it captured the feel of winter in the wilds of Yorkshire perfectly for me. The acting was much better as was the storyline. If you haven't watched tat film I highly recommend you buy/rent/watch it.