Review of Call Me by Your Name (2017) by Jing Z — 15 Dec 2017

The movie is beautifully done. The ideas of an exotic foreign intruder, engraining first love and attraction, love loss and regrets, and endearing parents/son relationship, blend seamlessly into this masterpiece of art. The icing on the cake (and a lot more than that) is the songs by Sufjan Stevens. They echo the bittersweetness of Elio's experience in the almost magical way.

On a personal level, it left an unprecedentedly lasting effect on me. The intensity of this kind of first love is what I've been longing for, but the way it ends is devastating and traumatizing. It leaves things to where they are beautiful but also there is sadness, helplessness and regret in letting go of what could have become more beautiful. Of course, everything could have gone the other way if it had been pursued between Elio and Oliver, so it may be the best to end where it ends.

Finally, I want to recommend reading the book, especially the last chapter. It's a bit different from the movie and it has more details. In some sense, this is the part that completely destroys me emotionally. To this day, to the moment when I'm writing this review, I still couldn't keep it together when hearing Mystery of Love.