First Romance

Rating: 9/10 (29 January 2018)

Plot: 17-year-old Elio has a lustful romance (his first) with Oliver (an older grad student) and comes out to his parents. Oliver gets engaged to a woman.

Themes: first relationship, gay relationships, coming out; Anyone who's been in love with know those feelings and relate to Elio

Acting: Amazing acting by Timothée Chalamet (Elio). Strong performances overall, though Oliver ( Armie Hammer) was not very likable as a character. Elio's parents are lovingly played. The last act is where it pays off - the "coming out" conversation between Elio and his father will make you cry. However, to me, the relationship was mainly one of lust/puppy love, not the deep relationship the father describes, so it felt a little incongruent. The final long shot of Elio looking into the fireplace and reflecting on the past is amazing.
Setting: 1983 beautiful rural Italian estate - transports you to a simpler time and place

Soundtrack: wonderful classical music selection - A+