I try to never believe the hype but I always do in the end anyway. So is the case with my latest favourite restaurant, Chik'n; so is the case with bluetooth headphones. And now, finally, with Call Me By Your Name too (which I'm now going to proceed to abbreviate as CMBYN, as much as I hate it, because it's just too long to type out - and read - each time).
I find that watching films at home never quite has the same impact on me as when watching in the cinema. That's probably because at home, I'm not ashamed to pull out my phone to take a quick glance at whatever social media channel I feel like at that given moment. It's an awful habit. But with CMBYN, that didn't happen.
Why did I enjoy it? Mostly because it wasn't at all what I had expected. It was clear cut, beautiful and not a moment too long. The acting was fantastic and the two main characters - in fact, all of them - were well-developed, which is so rare nowadays. In a way, in the first half of the film, we focus on Elio; on the second half, more on Oliver. They both get dedicated screen time to allow viewers to dig a bit deeper into their souls, and they're both worth our time.
Coming-of-age films always run the risk of being too cheesy or getting the theme completely wrong, but I found that Elio's slow but sure development is well packaged. He's 17 years old and everything new is exciting and first, then terrifying. In a burning temperature that demands nothing but bare chests and sweat, life obviously becomes about sex. And in a secluded villa somewhere in northern Italy, where apart from swimming and drinking there's not much to do for teenagers, it is inevitable that Elio would fall in love. With whoever is on hand.
That makes the story believable, and the relationship that develops between Oliver and Elio is especially exciting because of a constantly shifting power play. Dominance seems to come naturally to one, while it seems well acquired by the other. Then that sense is thrown up in the air. Both characters get hurt. They both open up, then close up. It's a beautiful up-and-down, and I think that's the main trait that keeps viewers glued to the screen. That, and the gorgeous setting. And Armie Hammer's beautiful behind. (It had to be said.)
I also enjoyed several brutal, abrupt cuts - piano music that shifts viewers into a sense of peace and pleasure is suddenly cut in the next scene, in the middle of a musical sentence. Touching scenes shift to those about doing nothing. Plot-moving scenes shift into insight. In other words, the rhythm of the film keeps viewers on their toes.
I'm very glad I finally gave in and watched the film. I don't know if I'm biased because I enjoy a film about intellectual, tri-lingual families and Italian villas, or romantic ones, but I do think this is a beautiful piece of work that deserves all the hype it got, and more.
PS. I just saw that a sequel has been announced. Now THAT I have mixed feelings about.
I find that watching films at home never quite has the same impact on me as when watching in the cinema. That's probably because at home, I'm not ashamed to pull out my phone to take a quick glance at whatever social media channel I feel like at that given moment. It's an awful habit. But with CMBYN, that didn't happen.
Why did I enjoy it? Mostly because it wasn't at all what I had expected. It was clear cut, beautiful and not a moment too long. The acting was fantastic and the two main characters - in fact, all of them - were well-developed, which is so rare nowadays. In a way, in the first half of the film, we focus on Elio; on the second half, more on Oliver. They both get dedicated screen time to allow viewers to dig a bit deeper into their souls, and they're both worth our time.
Coming-of-age films always run the risk of being too cheesy or getting the theme completely wrong, but I found that Elio's slow but sure development is well packaged. He's 17 years old and everything new is exciting and first, then terrifying. In a burning temperature that demands nothing but bare chests and sweat, life obviously becomes about sex. And in a secluded villa somewhere in northern Italy, where apart from swimming and drinking there's not much to do for teenagers, it is inevitable that Elio would fall in love. With whoever is on hand.
That makes the story believable, and the relationship that develops between Oliver and Elio is especially exciting because of a constantly shifting power play. Dominance seems to come naturally to one, while it seems well acquired by the other. Then that sense is thrown up in the air. Both characters get hurt. They both open up, then close up. It's a beautiful up-and-down, and I think that's the main trait that keeps viewers glued to the screen. That, and the gorgeous setting. And Armie Hammer's beautiful behind. (It had to be said.)
I also enjoyed several brutal, abrupt cuts - piano music that shifts viewers into a sense of peace and pleasure is suddenly cut in the next scene, in the middle of a musical sentence. Touching scenes shift to those about doing nothing. Plot-moving scenes shift into insight. In other words, the rhythm of the film keeps viewers on their toes.
I'm very glad I finally gave in and watched the film. I don't know if I'm biased because I enjoy a film about intellectual, tri-lingual families and Italian villas, or romantic ones, but I do think this is a beautiful piece of work that deserves all the hype it got, and more.
PS. I just saw that a sequel has been announced. Now THAT I have mixed feelings about.
