Impossible love hurts worse

Rating: 8/10 (5 March 2018)

I have to start by commending the people who decided to bring this story to the movie screen for their ballsiness, particularly at a time where such topics as age uneven relationships can be cynically distorted into inappropriate behavior due to the ongoing trail of notorious misdemeanors recently made public within the artistic community.
I found "Call me by your name" to be a beautiful and endearing summertime love story between Elio and Oliver, two individuals who develop an intense relationship knowing it's risky, socially unwelcomed and ultimately with a close expiration date. In my opinion, if there's anything worse than unrequited love, that's impossible love.A kind of lighter "Lolita" tale, emotionally deeper and less crude. It's also a tale of self exploration, of letting feelings run free and of seizing the moment. The "American Pie" moment took it a bit too far for me, but I guess if you're going to be realist and provocative you might as well go all the way.
The surroundings are evocative and idilic: 80´s countryside Italy. Beautiful architecture, bucolic environment and gorgeous lightning amount to magnificent camera shots and natural scene locations, playfully combined with a nice playlist of contemporary pop music. The setting appeared to me, at first, a little too pretentious: wealthy, cultivated jewish family who switch from Italian speaking to French, English and even German; art, literature, classical music and apparently not a single worry in the world. It's probably just jealousy. But in the end, what a nicer world this would be if all parents were like Ellio's. What a loving relationship and what a sensible, encouraging yet tender speech his father gives him towards the end of the film.
The cast does an amazing job, from the stunning Timothy Chalamet, to a great Arnie Hammer and sweet sweet Michael Stuhlbarg and Amira Casar. I have to admit I haven't read the book but I'm gonna guess this was a pitch perfect adaptation of its dialogues and scenes.
I believe this is a movie for the open-minded, the mature, the nostalgic and the romantic. Not your average moviegoer this days I suspect.