Call Me by Your Name is a 2017 romantic drama directed by Luca Guadagnino, based on the novel by André Aciman. Set in the summer of 1983 in northern Italy, the film explores the passionate and fleeting romance between Elio Perlman, a 17-year-old boy, and Oliver, a 24-year-old American scholar, against the backdrop of the sun-drenched Italian countryside. With its poetic exploration of first love, self-discovery, and identity, the film beautifully captures the intensity and vulnerability of a young heart.
Elio Perlman, played by Timothée Chalamet, is a precocious and introspective teenager who spends his summers at his family’s villa in Italy. His father, Mr. Perlman, is a professor of archaeology, and each year he invites a graduate student to stay with them to assist with research. This year’s guest is Oliver, portrayed by Armie Hammer, a confident, charming American who exudes effortless charisma. At first, Elio finds Oliver’s demeanor slightly off-putting and arrogant, as the two couldn’t seem more different. While Elio is quiet, reflective, and intellectually curious, Oliver is carefree, direct, and physically imposing.
Despite this initial distance, there is an undeniable tension between them, an unspoken attraction that slowly simmers as they spend more time together. Elio, though in a casual relationship with a local girl named Marzia, becomes increasingly fascinated with Oliver. Their relationship evolves through subtle moments of observation and silence, as Elio begins to explore his feelings, unsure of how to interpret or act on them.
The dynamic between the two shifts after a brief physical encounter, which sparks a deeper connection. Oliver, who is more experienced and aware of the potential consequences of their affair, hesitates, while Elio is drawn further into his desire. What starts as flirtation gradually grows into a full-blown romance, and the two share passionate moments, though they must keep their relationship hidden from the outside world.
One of the film’s central themes is the complexity of identity and sexual awakening, as Elio navigates the emotional turmoil of his first real love. The tenderness and tension in their relationship are conveyed through Guadagnino’s masterful direction, which emphasizes long, quiet scenes of lingering glances and physical closeness. The natural beauty of the Italian countryside serves as a metaphor for the blossoming love between the two men, with warm sunsets and idyllic landscapes underscoring the fragility of their relationship.
As the summer progresses, Elio and Oliver’s bond deepens, with Oliver encouraging Elio to embrace his feelings without shame. Their love affair is intense yet temporary, as Oliver’s time in Italy is limited. This knowledge casts a bittersweet shadow over their moments together, as both are aware that their relationship will eventually come to an end.
The emotional climax of the film comes when Oliver must return to the United States. Elio, heartbroken, struggles to cope with the loss, retreating into himself as he deals with the pain of unrequited love. In a touching conversation between Elio and his father, Mr. Perlman acknowledges the depth of his son’s feelings and offers wisdom that transcends traditional parental advice. He encourages Elio to cherish the beauty of the experience, despite its pain, and to not bury his feelings or deny what he has gone through. This poignant moment reflects one of the film’s core messages: that love, no matter how fleeting, is a transformative experience that shapes who we are.
The film’s final scene is a powerful portrayal of grief and acceptance. As Elio stares into the fire on a winter evening, his face reflects the full weight of his emotions — loss, heartbreak, and, ultimately, growth. With Sufjan Stevens’ haunting song “Visions of Gideon” playing in the background, the film closes on Elio’s tear-filled face, signifying the end of an unforgettable chapter in his life.
Call Me by Your Name is a tender and deeply affecting meditation on love, identity, and the fleeting nature of time. It captures the emotional intensity of a first love in a way that is both universal and deeply personal, showing how such experiences can shape the course of a person’s life forever. The film’s languid pace, lush visuals, and powerful performances — particularly by Timothée Chalamet — make it a profound and unforgettable exploration of love and loss.
