Call Me By Your Name (2017)

‘Call Me By Your Name’ is a beautiful coming of age story directed by Luca Guadagnino. Set against the summer of 1983, ‘somewhere in northern Italy’, 17 -year - old Elio spends his long summer days reading and transcribing sheet music. But the summer of his 17th year is also comprised of emotional exploration and discovery upon the arrival of care free graduate student Oliver, whom he falls in love with. The film charts the relationship between the two over several weeks; a playful, romantic relationship fueled by desire and attraction. The film is incredibly simplistic; one of its greatest elements. It focuses entirely on beauty of human nature. Natural instinct, communication and impulse shapes the whole film and gave it a real honesty. The relationship between Oliver and Elio felt so real and genuine. The exciting and energetic nature of their love is gorgeously illustrated by both the performances of Armie Hammer and Timothee Chalamet, and also through the use of uneventful camera shots, which helped to make their love feel bigger than other people and their environment. One of my favourite elements of the film were the songs written by Sufjan Stevens, which could be heard at pivotal moments of the film’s plot. The song ‘Visions of Gideon’, supported the films unique credit role, which featured Elio breaking the forth wall, as he stared right at the camera. The lyrics are so relevant to the film’s heartbreaking conclusion, and brought me to tears. Most certainly deserving of Oscar recognition this year!