An Italian Summer in 1983 brings 17 year-old Elio and a handsome doctoral intern, Oliver, together. Elio is still in the transition of learning who he is and what he wants, but it’s clear that Oliver is part of it all. Oliver is a sure fire, smart savvy man who stumbles along a brave realization of love in the most beautiful setting.

Year 2018

Director Luca Guadagnino

Stars  Armie Hammer, Timothée Chalamet, Michael Stuhlbarg

A couple of my favorite things are summed up in this picture, the 80’s and a mouth-watering European setting. Put them together and you have my attention. From the very start I knew I would fall in love just like the characters do in this film. It’s all very pleasing to the senses; a 17th-century villa in Lombardy, Italy in the beauty of summer with The Psychedelic Furs buzzing in your ears. Bigtime thanks to the cinematography mastermind that worked out the shots for this movie; long shots of the scenery even when there is not a soul in the picture, mi amore! Sometimes during tender moments, I noted a focusing in and out of the camera which gave the scenes a sort of surreal tone they needed. The pace of film was sort of lulling and slow, but that worked in it’s favor. Moving on to the music, it was completely fitting. If you are a fan of Sufjan Stevens and that genre then you will enjoy this a lot.

Characters are somewhat off-putting from the start. You don’t quite know what they are up to but find their passions along the journey as they discover each other. Their arcs feel natural and realistic. I’m not familiar with Timothee Chalamet, but he has my attention now. The chemistry between him and Armie Hammer comes easy on film. I don’t know how difficult it was to act out, but I’m fooled! All other characters fit right into their correct elements of what felt right.

I thought I knew what was coming so I braced myself towards the end. ***SORT OF SPOILER ALERT*** It’s not as tragic as you might be ready for. I know, I know… years of watching these types of romances have you prepared for the worst, but this is a subtle sadness that leaves you scratched but not scarred. If I had the choice I probably wouldn’t choose to savor this again, but I am glad that I watched it.