Call Me by Your Name (2017) is a richly evocative, deeply moving coming-of-age romantic drama directed by Luca Guadagnino. Adapted from Andrรฉ Aciman’s 2007 novel of the same name, the film is set in the sun-drenched countryside of northern Italy during the summer of 1983. James Ivoryโs screenplay transforms Aciman’s introspective novel into a visual and emotional masterpiece, blending themes of longing, desire, heartbreak, and self-discovery.
The story centers around Elio Perlman (played by Timothรฉe Chalamet), a 17-year-old boy living with his parents in a picturesque villa. Elio is cultured, intelligent, and musically gifted but still exploring the complexities of his identity. His father, a professor of archaeology (played by Michael Stuhlbarg), invites a 24-year-old graduate student named Oliver (Armie Hammer) to stay with them for the summer as part of an academic mentorship program. Oliverโs confident, magnetic personality contrasts with Elioโs more reserved demeanor, sparking tension that eventually gives way to a passionate and transformative romantic relationship.
Music plays an integral role in the filmโs emotional resonance. Sufjan Stevens contributes two original songs, โMystery of Loveโ and โVisions of Gideon,โ which beautifully underscore key moments in the story. The score also includes classical pieces and 1980s pop songs that further immerse the audience in the filmโs period and atmosphere.
Upon its release, the film was met with universal acclaim, praised for its lush cinematography, heartfelt performances, and delicate handling of its subject matter. It won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, making James Ivory, at 89, the oldest Oscar winner in history. Timothรฉe Chalametโs performance earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, making him one of the youngest nominees in that category.
Call Me by Your Name is more than a romance; it is a meditation on time, memory, and the ways we carry our past loves with us. It invites viewers to embrace the beauty and pain of vulnerability, reminding us that, as Elioโs father says, we must allow ourselves to feel deeplyโeven if it hurtsโbecause those moments shape who we are.
