Dear Steemians,
Today I would like to recommend you the movie I saw - “Call Me by Your Name”. This movie stayed with me long after leaving the cinema. It talks about love, but is neither sad nor happy, it is above all very true and complex.
The movie is nominated for the Oscar in the “Best Motion Picture of the Year” category. It lasts a little more than 2 hours but the times passes quickly because you get attracted by the romance and charming Italian vibes.
I am not sure if this is a movie for everyone, I guess it is not. First of all those of you who need action and fast cars will be bored to death as the plot moves forward without a rush, in rustic surroundings, and with calm, soothing music. Additionally, what needs to be highlighted, this is a movie that shows passion and erotic scenes between two men. So I would invite you to first see the official trailer and decide yourself.
I will not ruin anything by telling you a bit more about the story:) It is based on the acclaimed novel by André Aciman. We are in Italy, at the beginnings of the 1980s. There is a summer house, well - 17th- century villa to be more precise - one of those southern mansions that you see and you fall in love with it (btw. it is currently on sale, so if you don't know what to do with your millions...;)) We are invited to spend the summer holiday with a family. The father, a professor of ancient (art? History?), the mother – also very well educated and spoken and their talented and sensitive 17 years old son – Elio. Each year the professor is choosing an assistant to join him and help him with his work, this particular summer it is Oliver, a handsome, athletic, American working on his doctorate.
A feeling, attraction and a passion start to awaken between both young men. The director was able to show a beautiful and very universal love story that most of us can empathise and relate with. It is delicate and powerful, just like the first love and the loss are. There is also a scene that i really liked, when the father talks with Elio about the importance of experiences, true love and passion. It was to me, intimate, subtle and inspiring.
The director
The film is directed by Luca Guadagnino, Italian director and producer, who can be known for his other movies: “A Bigger Splash” (from 2016, with, among others, Tilda Swinton and
Ralph Fiennes, both really good in it) or “Io sono l'amore” (“I am love” from 2010 and again with Tilda Swinton; I haven’t seen this one).
The cast
The cast is really well chosen. I have seen the faces before, but I honestly didn’t remember the names. After this movie, I definitely will.
Elio was played by very young Timothée Chalamet (born in 1995) who is a rising movie star. Already with some roles on his account, he is nominated for this year’s Oscar for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role. That’s a huge accomplishment!
Oliver was played by Armie Hammer. We could previously see him, but not in leading roles, in “Nocturnal Animals” (from 2016, the movie I definitely recommend), “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” (from 2015), “The Social Network” (from 2010) or in…”Gossip girl” TV series (a few episodes from 2009). To be honest I was a little reluctant to Armie at the beginning of the “Call Me by Your Name”. But he quickly and smoothly convinced me that he was a right choice for the role.
The last but not the least - the father, played by talented although not well-known, Michael Stuhlbarg, who is starring in two other movies nominated this year to Oscar’s award: “The Shape of Water” and “The Post”! He landed a lead role in “A Serious Man” from 2009 and episodic roles in various hits like “Hugo”, “Blue Jasmine”, “Steve Jobs”, “Arrival”.
Sending joy!
Kasia
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