Call Me by Your Name (2017) - Italy / USA
Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)
There is something extremely beautiful about Luca Guadagnino’s “Call Me By Your Name” that seduce the audience into the film by its atmosphere, before focusing on the electrifying chemistry by the two amazing young leads and lovers played by (Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer). The film works well as it speaks honestly to the heart and soul of the very individual and characters. The lovely scenery of the pool, the wild, the pond, the grass, the fruits and wine all helps to make this one of the best breakaway film of 2017.
Timothee Chalamet is simply amazing in his depiction of the coming of age of his young character with by a level of maturity, love and coming to terms of his sexuality. Together with American Armie Hammer, the duo are glued by vivid chemistry that works best even when they are not physically involved. Hammer in particular display the sort of confidence yet indulgence of the pair as they involved in a short lived relationship. Michael Stuhlbarg plays the father and professor to almost a degree of brilliance and pulled off the father and son talk finale with touching effect. Likewise Amira Casar is progressive as the understanding mother who knows it all.
All in all, “Call Me By Your Name” is a beautiful summer breeze of a film that allows the audience to slowly indulgence into the surroundings. After all it is 1983 countryside, where there is no rush at all for anything to happen to quickly as there is no distractions to hearing the birds sing and plants to literally grow. It is that kind of film that plays out so well and easily one of the best romance and coming of age drama in 2017.
I rated it 9/10