Critics and audiences widely regard Call Me By Your Name —both the original novel by André Aciman film adaptation by Luca Guadagnino
—as a lush, emotionally intense masterpiece of first love. Set in 1980s Northern Italy, the story follows the sensual and intellectual awakening of 17-year-old Elio as he falls for Oliver, a 24-year-old graduate student. Roger Ebert The Film Review Reviewers praise the film for its "languid, unstructured feel" that mirrors its summery Italian setting. Performances:
Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of Elio is frequently cited as a "breakout" and "powerhouse" performance, capturing the raw, pensive nature of adolescence. Armie Hammer is noted for adding layers of vulnerability to his role as Oliver. Standout Scenes: The film is famous for a three-minute closing shot of Elio’s face by a fire and a poignant, empathetic monologue delivered by Michael Stuhlbarg as Elio’s father. Critiques: Some critics found the pacing slow and "lumbering,"
while others felt the age gap between the protagonists was uncomfortable or even problematic. www.maketheswitch.com.au The Book Review The novel is often described as a "ridiculously romantic" and deeply interior exploration of obsession. Call Me By Your Name movie review review:
An evocative exploration of memory, desire, and the fleeting nature of time, Call Me By Your Name began as a 2007 novel by André Aciman before transforming into a critically acclaimed 2017 film directed by Luca Guadagnino. Set during a "sultry" summer in the mid-1980s on the Italian Riviera, the story follows 17-year-old Elio Perlman as he falls into a profound, life-altering romance with Oliver, a 24-year-old American scholar staying at his family’s villa. Plot Summary: A Summer of Awakening
The narrative is driven by the internal psychology of Elio, an introverted and musically gifted teenager. Each year, his academic parents host a guest scholar to assist Elio’s father with his research; in 1983, that guest is Oliver. Call Me By Your Name
Initial Friction: Elio is initially struck by Oliver’s "Later!"—a dismissal he finds cold and indifferent—and his effortless confidence, which Elio finds both attractive and irritating.
Developing Intimacy: Through long afternoons spent lounging by the pool, transcribing music, and cycling through the Italian countryside, the two move from tentative intellectual sparring to an intense physical and emotional bond.
The Climax: Their romance culminates in a short trip to Rome before Oliver’s departure, leaving Elio to face the profound grief of loss alongside the realization of how deeply he has been changed. Core Themes and Symbolism
Reviewers from LitCharts and other critics highlight several recurring motifs that give the story its depth:
Call Me By Your Name " is a 2007 novel by André Aciman and a 2017 Oscar-winning film directed by Luca Guadagnino Critics and audiences widely regard Call Me By
. Set in northern Italy in 1983, it follows the brief but intense summer romance between 17-year-old Elio Perlman and 24-year-old Oliver, a visiting American graduate student. Core Themes and Narrative
Guadagnino and cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom (who shot the film on 35mm film, not digital) employ an almost voyeuristic intimacy with the camera. The lens lingers on skin. We see the freckles on Elio’s shoulders, the blond hair on Oliver’s arms, the way a shirt sticks to a wet back. The camera loves the body.
But crucially, Call Me By Your Name is a masterclass in the "almost touch." For the first half of the film, the characters barely make contact. There is the famous scene at the monument to World War I: Oliver touches Elio’s back at the exact moment Elio confesses his feelings, but Elio can’t hear the words over the noise of the water. The touch is there, but the connection is delayed.
By delaying physical gratification for 90 minutes, the director makes the eventual consummation (the midnight "Trento" scene) feel like a spiritual explosion. When the music swells and the credits nearly roll on that midnight dance, the audience breathes a sigh of relief. We have held our breath with Elio for the entire summer.
Elio writes in a diary and plays with words. Try this exercise: “If I could trade bodies with you for
Most romance films end with the couple getting together. Call Me By Your Name ends with the couple breaking apart, and it is the best part of the film. After Oliver leaves and calls to say he is getting married (a gut-punch delivered with devastating casualness), Elio does not scream or throw things. He sits by the fireplace.
In the final four minutes of the film, there is only one shot: the camera stays on Timothée Chalamet’s face. The credits roll over his expression as he cycles through grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally, a fragile acceptance. He wipes a tear. He almost smiles. He looks into the fire.
This is the genius of the film. It refuses to offer a "happy" ending, but it offers a true ending. Mr. Perlman’s monologue to Elio earlier in the film frames the entire experience: "Don’t kill the pain, because with it, you kill the joy." Call Me By Your Name argues that it is better to have felt the devastating loss of love than to have never felt anything at all.
The titular request is an act of radical empathy and fusion. By calling each other by their own name, they abolish ego. “Call me by your name, and I’ll call you by mine” means: I am you, you are me. For this moment, we are one person.