Review of Call Me by Your Name (2017) by Chris C — 05 Jan 2018

Call Me By Your Name is a predictable snooze of a film that could be told in thirty minutes. It's really just another Gay coming of age story that has been told much more effectively in the past. Yes the cinematography is stunning and the actors are attractive, but no more so than any other film of this trite genre.

Moreover, this adaptation does not fly for many reasons beginning with the lack of chemistry between the two main characters. The romance is not plausible. But the story is also absent of genuine anguish and pain. Perhaps if Elio's parents were non accepting and he was forced to deal with the loss of Oliver and his family concomitantly would there be any depth to this fluffy film. The dialogue is also inane, and the lack of 80's songs (minus one) is inane.

Overall, Call Me By Your Name is not a credible film. Beautiful to look at, but hollow at its core. It's a shame superior Gay coming of age films were marginalized, because they were produced in an era when homophobia was the social norm. This movie tries hard to have a foreign artsy feel, but in the end no one feels anything, especially the audience.