Review: Call Me By Your Name (2017) – A Timeless and Poetic Love Story
⭐ Rating: 9.4/10
Call Me By Your Name (2017) is a beautiful, emotionally charged coming-of-age romance that explores first love, self-discovery, and the fleeting nature of desire. Directed by Luca Guadagnino and based on André Aciman’s novel, the film is a visually stunning, deeply intimate experience that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll. With outstanding performances from Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer, this is a love story that transcends time, culture, and identity.
Plot Overview
Set in the sun-drenched Italian countryside during the summer of 1983, the film follows Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalamet), a precocious 17-year-old, who spends his days reading, playing music, and enjoying the tranquility of his family’s villa. When his father, a professor, invites a charming and confident American graduate student, Oliver (Armie Hammer), to stay for the summer, Elio’s world is turned upside down.
What starts as a subtle, hesitant friendship soon transforms into an intense, intoxicating romance, as Elio and Oliver navigate their feelings in a time and place where love like theirs remains unspoken. Their connection is passionate yet fragile, filled with stolen glances, unspoken words, and bittersweet moments that capture the essence of first love and the ache of longing.
What Makes It Special?
🌿 Breathtaking Cinematography – The film’s gorgeous visuals, from sunlit orchards to shimmering lakes, create a dreamlike, nostalgic atmosphere that perfectly mirrors the characters’ emotions.
🎭 Timothée Chalamet’s Breakout Performance – Chalamet delivers a raw, deeply vulnerable performance, capturing Elio’s emotional turmoil, joy, and heartbreak with breathtaking authenticity.
💔 A Heart-Wrenching Yet Beautiful Love Story – Unlike typical romances, Call Me By Your Name is delicate, poetic, and achingly real, making the love between Elio and Oliver feel both intimate and universal.
🎶 A Soul-Stirring Soundtrack – Featuring classical music, 80s hits, and Sufjan Stevens’ hauntingly beautiful songs (“Mystery of Love” and “Visions of Gideon”), the soundtrack elevates every emotion.
📖 A Thoughtful Exploration of Identity & Desire – The film’s dialogue, especially Elio’s father’s moving monologue about love and pain, is profound and deeply resonant, making it a story not just about romance, but about embracing emotions without fear.
Minor Drawbacks
⏳ Slow, Deliberate Pacing – The film is a slow burn, focusing on small, intimate moments rather than dramatic twists, which may not appeal to those looking for a faster-moving romance.
💭 Ambiguous Ending – The bittersweet, open-ended conclusion leaves viewers yearning for closure, making it beautifully frustrating in the best way possible.
Final Verdict
Call Me By Your Name is a masterful, visually poetic, and emotionally profound film that captures the essence of first love, longing, and the pain of goodbyes. With unforgettable performances, stunning cinematography, and a deeply moving story, it stands as one of the most beautiful love stories in modern cinema.
🌞 Final Score: 9.4/10 – A breathtaking, tender, and unforgettable romance that will stay with you long after it ends.
