This film was the very first gay film that I ever remember watching. I stumbled upon it quite by chance after returning home from the States after my partner had passed away, tragically. It was the first Christmas after his death, and I dreaded it.
Whilst surfing the web, reading a newspaper article as I recall, an ad popped up on the side of the page, plugging this movie. I had never heard of it. In fact, I was so in the dark about gay movies that I hadn’t even heard of the actors either!
Anyway, to cut the long story short, I clicked on the ad and found this film. A few days later, having given it some thought, I decided to buy the movie on Amazon Prime.
Boy, was I glad I did! I was entranced by this movie. So much so that I watched over and over in the months that followed. In fact, I lost count of the number of times I watched it!
I enjoyed this film so much that I decided to write a review for it. It was the firt time I had ever written a review for any movie. But the film was so enjoyable, I felt that I simply had to write one.
This is what I wrote:
Stunningly beautiful! A truly wonderful, moving film for the sentient and tender-hearted!There is no doubt in my mind that the film was particularly impactful because I stumbled upon it when I was at the very start of my long period of intense grief after the loss of my partner. I was alone and very vulnerable. This movie really did hit the spot! — © Mark Alexander *
Powerful and transformative, this wonderful movie is a celebration of love, a celebration of beauty in all its forms, a celebration of enlightened thinking, a celebration of the attraction of a summer in delightful, sunny Italy!
Timothée Chalamet (Elio) and Armie Hammer (Oliver) play their parts splendidly. In fact, all the actors do. Michael Stuhlbarg, the father, with his father-to-son talk towards the end of the film is a sensation; Amira Casar, who plays the part of Elio’s mother, plays her part flawlessly. The parents' acceptance of Elio’s sexuality is an object lesson in parenting perfection.
This superb film excites the senses! It electrifies you! It will probably change your perceptions, too. It has the power to shake a person out of his benightedness!
A celebration of the beauty of pure, gay love; this film shows us all how truly beautiful it can be, with all its joy and attendant pain. This is a love story, showing that love is love, no matter what form that love takes.
The movie will transport you back to the beautiful early 80s, when life was far less complicated. The attention to detail in the film is remarkable. When watching this film, you can feel Italy, feel the Eighties. Because of the filming techniques used, you feel that you are there in Italy along with the characters.
Having read many reviews, I know I am not alone in finding this film extremely moving. If you let it, it will touch something deep inside you, whether you are gay or straight.
The stunning beauty of this movie is what you get when the brilliance of an author such as André Aciman is married with the unbelievable skill of the screenwriter, James Ivory, and the creative genius of the film director, Luca Guadagnino. The result is a masterpiece!
This is a movie for those able to feel deeply. It is one of the finest films I have ever watched. Bravo to all concerned in its production!
Watching this moving film brought back fond memories of times that have past and evoked thoughts of what could have been. Truly touching! Don't miss it! But make sure you have a box of Kleenex to hand. You will surely need one. The movie is bewitching!
If you want to understand the attraction of gay love, this is the film for you! The discovery of a young man’s sexuality is tenderly and tastefully portrayed.
Watching this exquisite film is a not-to-be-missed experience.
* Just FYI, the original review was written not under Mark Alexander, but under my real name: Richard.
