Summer Lovin': Review of Call Me by Your Name

Call Me By Your Name

Director: Luca Guadagnino

By Alex Watson

Fair warning before you see Luca Guadagnino's latest- this movie is heartbreaking in all kinds of ways. Call Me by Your Name is a movie that expertly and breathtakingly showcases the pain of true love. Set against the lush and stunning Northern Italy backdrop, this movie is far more just a feast for the eyes. Two magnificent central performances by Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer is what brings this piece to life and Luca Guadagnino emerges as Europe's new directorial threat.

During the summer of 1983, Elio (Timothée Chalamet) is spending his summer sunbathing, transcribing music and casually dating his girlfriend Marzia (Esther Garrel). His peaceful existence is interrupted by the arrival of Oliver (Armie Hammer) who arrives to assist his father (Michael Stuhlbarg). Over the next six weeks, a romantic connection ensues and Elio's world is turned inside out.

Any lovers of Guadagnino's previous work I Am Love and A Bigger Splash will be aware of how he can combine subtle humor with crippling emotional blows. Call Me by Your Name is a romantic film that sizzles in the summer heat. However, Guadagnino's brilliant piece is one that forces its audience to endure and as this tale slowly progress our hearts slowly crumble. A smart and well read 17-year-old, Elio is a confident and respected young man. Used to owning every room and dinner he visits, the arrival of Oliver automatically sends him into a flat spin. At first, disliking Oliver's natural charm and charisma, Elio attempts to avoid him. Its made apparently obvious that this unease is definitely physically related and the pair has a chemistry that is undeniable.  As the attraction between them intensifies, this sparks crackle all around.

Guadagnino's film fills its summer days with a variety of parties, dinner, dancing and endless relaxing by the pool and lakes. There is a lazy and peaceful feel to the flow of this movie, each day Elio dwells on his feelings is another lost opportunity. His parents seem aware of the budding romance between the pair and seem even to encourage it. One particularly emotional monologue by Stuhlbarg at the movie's climax is particularly heartbreaking. The pangs and longing of first love are beautifully expressed here- Guadagnino also finds some borderline creepy moments such as Elio smelling Oliver's bathing suit. Once the awkwardness melts away, a passionate love is born. Guadagnino isn't at all interested in showing explicit sex, instead, he focuses on the intimacy and the warm glow it brings. Before long the pair is becoming inseparable, but there is that inevitability that this will have to end soon.

Call Me by Your Name comes down hard on its audience during an overwhelming third act. The most poetic things about this movie are how little effect words have on the story. Every gesture, longing embrace, and pained expression tells us the whole story. Elio is shown to be a young man coming into his element but is shaken to the core over how raw and deep his feelings go. There is also a vibrancy and depth to the supporting characters too- Marzia is only a few brief moments of screen time has a profound effect. Even Elio's mother Annella (Amira Casar) is there to bring a tenderness when the movie most needs it. Few movies in 2017 are as earth-shattering as this one, the final shot is one of pure emotion. Take a moment to sit in your seat and get yourself together, you will definitely need it

Timothée Chalamet is a stunning find in Guadagnino's movie. Wearing the movie's heart on his sleeves, the young actor feels so natural it's impossible to believe he's acting. Feeling at ease with the movies rollercoaster of feelings, Chalamet is a talent that deserved to rewarded at this year's Oscars. Armie Hammer is also superb as the cocksure yet big-hearted Oliver. Coming across as the dreamy 'Odd Jew Out' All-American, Hammer draws both Elio and his audience to his brand of charm. One of the most dependable actors around, Hammer shows a newer and more rounded side to his talents. Never thought of as one for romance, this could a new career renaissance.

Call Me by Your Name will bend your heart into so many ways you will need to requisition a new one. A real romantic juggernaut, Luca Guadagnino's Suspiria remake will now be even more anticipated.

We Gotta Get Outta This Place: Review of Lady Bird

Lady Bird

Director: Greta Gerwig

By Alex Watson

Greta Gerwig emerges as a talent to watch behind the camera. Lady Bird is a picture that sparkles and gives a deep yet hilarious look at the angst of youth. Dealing with people experiencing an identity crisis and the typical back and forth arguments between mother and daughter- Gerwig's movie feels refreshingly real. Although alongside the laughs there is a heavy emotional core that will audiences all the way to the bone.

Sacramento teenager Christine 'Lady Bird' McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) is a high school senior who desperately wants out of her modest California life. Eager to leave home for illustrious college's on the East Coast, Lady Bird continuously bickers with her mother Marion (Laurie Metcalfe) over her future plans. Her family is facing a crisis since her father Larry (Tracy Letts) has been laid off. Although she is capable- Lady Bird must do far better to reach her dreams.

Early on in Lady Bird, Gerwig gives a close-up example of the problematic relationship between Christine and Marion. We first see the pair returning from a college tour crying over an audio tape of 'The Grapes of Wrath'. Initially, the pair lovingly reflects on it. Within moments, Marion is nagging her daughter over her apathy about her future which soon descends into her berating her to the point where Christine physically jumps out the vehicle. Marion is a character wracked by self-doubt and anxiety and her failure to inspire or connect with her daughter pains her. By no means is either character completely likable-Christine is a fiercely independent creature who chafes under the rule of her underbearing mother. Desperate for life on the East Coast where 'writers live in the woods' Christine attempts musical theatre as a way of boosting her college prospects.

Set in 2002 during Bush's America, money and wealth is also a talking point in this picture. The McPherson's are a family barely holding their head above water. Larry has struggled with depression and being out of work has put a huge financial strain on them. Despite this, he is still willing to help his daughter with her financial aid forms. When Christine befriends wealthy and popular Jenna (Odeya Rush) she pretends she lives in a big luxurious house in an affluent neighbourhood. Gerwig puts a good spin on the pain, angst, and joy or teenage crushes. Danny (Lucas Hedges) appears to have it the complete package- wealthy, handsome and from a close-knit Irish-Catholic family. However, in one subtle yet brilliant reveal, Gerwig superbly shatters Christine's portrait of him. Dreamy rocker and wannabe philosopher Kyle (Timothée Chalamet) is the boy who seems so wrong to us but a figure of aloof desire to her.

Lady Bird is heavily inspired by Gerwig's own experiences before going off to college. This is the element that makes her directorial debut feel so raw and real. Christine and Marion are the driving force of the movie and this is possibly the most realistic mother-daughter depiction you will ever see. Marion only wants the best for Christine- but that doesn't stop her from continually observing her flaws and picking her unrealistic expectations. Christine is also blind to just how much work her mother puts into keeping the family together. Though Gerwig is always careful to remind us how each insult comes from a place of affection. Few debuts are as assured or genuine as this one- being the best-reviewed movie on Rotten Tomatoes in 2017 speaks volumes

Irish actress Saoirse Ronan once again is on firecracker form as Christine. Perfectly channeling her character's desperation to be something other than ordinary, Ronan is well cast. One of Hollywood's strongest young actresses, the 23-year-old never seeks for us to love this character- only to understand where she is coming from. Laurie Metcalfe should be the favourite on every person's supporting actress list. Known to audiences from her time on Broadway and as Sheldon Cooper's mother in Big Bang Theory. Metcalfe gives a supporting turn of sheer power and immense depth. Her Marion is a character that is always criticizing her daughter's choices. Through Metcalfe, we come to realize her words although cutting are actually being said of out love. 

Lady Bird is more than just a critic's darling this award season. Few indie efforts feels as polished or emotionally engaging as this one. Another hit for A24, who have been the studio to beat this year.