After all of the hype surrounding this drama — a Best Picture nomination, a Best Adapted Screenplay win for James Ivory, et al — I must admit that I am disappointed with it.  Partly because the film is just overlong (132 minutes) for its subject, and partly because I found the pastoral Italian setting for the story more torpid than idyllic, more soporific than sensuous.

Luca Guadagnino’s film places American graduate student Oliver (Armie Hammer) with the family of a professor (Michael Stuhlbarg) for a summer in northern Italy.  Oliver befriends the professor’s teenage son Elio (Timotheé Chalamet); gradually they become close, and then lovers.  Elio also romances a local girl, Marzia (Esther Garrel), and his feelings are complicated as he comes of age without being able to talk to anyone about any of it.

The story takes its time to develop (too much time, in my opinion), yet there is much to be savored in the seemingly carefree setting.  I was into it for most of the first hour, then lost interest.  I would think that many viewers would envy the characters their total freedom to loll around all day, swim to cool off, and read or study or sleep as they wished — but after a while I would be bored stiff, and I became bored by the film. I just wanted something important to happen.  Eventually it does, and then the story picks up again, concluding with a beautiful scene with Elio listening to his father’s heartfelt advice.

Call Me by Your Name is a beautifully photographed coming of age story with erotic elements that will arouse some viewers and bother others.  Despite being a brilliant piano prodigy, young Elio (played to perfection by Timotheé Chalamet) is presented as an emotional innocent, ready to be initiated into manhood.  Just how that is done is the soul of this sincere cinematic experience.  ☆ ☆ 1/2.  9 March 2018.