Call Me By Your Name (Timothée Chalamet, Armie Hammer) has received backlash for portraying a 'borderline pedophilic' and potentially abusive relationship in a positive manner. Personally I think these gray elements of the film only add to the enticingly 'taboo' nature of the relationship initially set up by its homosexuality; but I know there are many who disagree. And yes, Oliver does know he cannot stay with Elio but I maintain that - as I said at the end of this video - the main antagonist in this film is anxiety surrounding heteronormativity. Oliver knows that this is the only chance he has to experience this kind of love. The two moments which humaised Oliver's complex dilemma for me were 1. when he said "Do you have any idea how glad I am we slept together?
" and 2. When he reflects on his actions in the 'fire dream' sequence shown at the end of this video. In both of these moments we empathise with his struggle, and so he is not an 'antagonist' in the traditional sense because we can understand his actions.

Instead, I wanted to focus on the sensual experience created by director Guadagnino, which I believe to be the driving force of Call Me By Your Name's timeless quality. As Sufjan Stevens wrote in his hit song Mystery of Love for the film's soundtrack, the film is about Seeing Without Eyes - a thesis I explore in terms of both direction and narratology in this video essay.

Also, watch André Aciman - author of the novel - talk about the film's ending. He talks about how the way I interpreted it in this video is completely different - but potentially better - than the way he intended when writing the book:    • André Aciman: The Meaning and Message...  . A fascinating insight into Reader Response - this was THE most pivotal scene in the film for me, and it remains totally ambiguous. I think Stulbarg's performance and Guadagnino's direction really elevated it from the way it was written in the novel (and copied into the screenplay by Ivory - which is obviously also interesting to look at). Fascinating stuff.

Yes, I know I completely mispronounce Anchise. Hard sound, everyone! Not soft. I cringe every time I watch myself say it - and I had to edit this video.

I would love to discuss in the comments! Or feel free to reach me on my social media:

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Thanks for watching!