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My Problems with Film Critics' Darling of 2017-18 Film Season, 'Call Me by Your Name"

Watched 'Call me by your name' three days ago. I wasn't enthralled by what I saw except for last 40 minutes which started with Sufjan Stevens' song 'mystery of love'. Ever since I have listened to this song, I must say I have fallen in love with it. It was my primary reason to watch this film. Secondly, the reviews among which one told me that I might get to witness in it some of the most romantic and heart-touching moments of film history. I must say I was disappointed at this front. Except for the last few moments of film where Elio gets a call from Oliver and then sheds tears of detection all alone, I didn't feel involved in it. Like the Forbes' critic said, I found it an 'excruciatingly boring travelogue'.

I agree with the vision Luca Guadagnino had for this film. First love was shown with all its glory in it but what was Elio doing with Marzia, his girlfriend first and then only friend? Also, I failed to understand why wasn't Elio interested in Oliver and when did he realize he might have a romantic inclination towards a same sex person? Oliver did drop a hint to him when they were playing Volleyball but then Elio was shown disinterested to us towards Oliver. In one seamless transition, we see him losing his virginity to Marzia and even then, he was longing to see Oliver. Why couldn't he wait for Oliver then for this very special moment? Oliver did ask him to wait and told him to meet in the midnight.

All these observations did not endear me to this film. But the notion that first love could be gender-neutral was far reaching and very practical. The way Luca Guadagnino didn't categorize his film as 'Gay Romance' was very pleasing. Also his reluctance to show full frontal nudity was very welcome. He wanted audience from every age group to watch this film and experience the magic of 'first love' and there he succeeds. I must commend him for his dedication to his vision for the film.

Due to some of my reservations about it, I must also admit that I liked his previous film 'A Bigger Splash' more. It could very well be because of one truly bombastic performance from Ralph Fienns, one of my most favorites and the rest of seller star cast but the story of it was also uncluttered. That's all I had to say. If someone has read the source material for 'Call me by your name', I would request that please help me with my doubts about it.


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