Call Me By Your Release Date
By Spencer Coile
After it dazzled audiences and critics alike at this year's Sundance Film Festival, it is not altogether baffling that Call Me By Your Name, the latest entry from I Am Love and A Bigger Splash director Luca Guadagnino was picked up by Sony Pictures Classics before it even premiered at the festival. And for those eagerly awaiting Guadagnino's latest cinematic concoction, our countdown commences: the film's limited release date is scheduled for November 24, 2017, or Thanksgiving weekend.
Adapted from André Aciman's 2007 book of the same name, Call Me by Your Name tells the story of Elio (Timothée Chalamet), a seventeen year-old boy expecting another boring summer along the Italian Riviera with his parents. However, he is in for quite a surprise when his professor father (Michael Stuhlbarg) invites to their villa Oliver (Armie Hammer), a twenty-four year-old academic from the United States. Mild flirtation slowly turns to intimacy as the two find themsevles embarking on a blossoming summer romance.
With early reviews touting it as a "masterful," "revolutionary," and "transcendent" love story, it should come as no shock that Guadagnino's newest effort would be afforded a prime release date for the upcoming awards season. Considering that Manchester by the Sea followed a very similar trajectory-- raves from Sundance to late-year release to major Oscar player, it is likely that Sony Pictures is already developing Call Me by Your Name's inevitable Oscar campaign.
Could Call Me by Your Name possibly join the ranks of classics of contemporary queer cinema-- those still celebrated and discussed today? Between Carol and Moonlight, it's been a pretty stellar track record these past couple of years. Only time will tell. But as we start prepping for the upcoming awards season (already!), I propose we all watch this clip from the film (wherein Elio and Oliver meet), pick up Aciman's novel, and start the book club to hold us over.
With only 260 days left, there's no time to lose!
Reader Comments (19)
Well, we already know that it wont win the oscar. The release is too late
Hope this shows why people made a fuss of Hammer after TSN.
While I'm glad this date makes it seem as if they think of this movie as awards-worthy, I'm disappointed it's not being released in the summer. It's such a perfect story and setting for the hot, sticky months of July or August.
But hey, maybe they're honestly going to push it for a Best Pic nom, so...yay?
The movie is much better that Moonlight. It's not only "masterful," "revolutionary," and "transcendent", it's also "ecumenic". It dosn't matter if you are straight, gay, bi, black, white, yellow, the movie speaks to everyone.
Oh and Nathaniel, in your April fool predictions put Michael Stuhlbarg first in Best Supporting Actor and leave him there because he is sooooo winning the Oscar. Hands down!!
@ George D
I'm guessing Armie reads younger in this than he has in some of his other recent roles, yes?
@ Paul Outlaw
Yeah. It's the 80's. :)
But in all seriousness the age difference does not affect you at all. I've seen the movie twice and trust me you don't even think about it. Not one bit.
People will only use it as a backlash if they don't like the movie (I really don't know how this is possible).
Thank goodness SPC aren't doing their usual 31 December qualifying release for this one.
I read the book a few years ago, and was underwhelmed at the time but I am keen to revisit it given the rave reviews for the film. And I've loved Michael Stuhlbarg ever since A SERIOUS MAN. Would be great to see him get some awards love!
I love this article
--mikah
Looks lovely...
But I can't help but feel this has "Pan's Labyrinth" written all over it... The pedigree of those involved, particularly the director, coloring the way people view the film.
It could also just be my distaste at Luca trying to justify why he didn't cast gay actors or show explicit sex.
Those that have read the book know that the sexual content is as integral as any of the romantic aspects, and in fact, come to several convergences throughout the story.
I don't know, something about the acclaim peeves me. Don't get me wrong, I trust that it will be wonderful...
But part of me is also just thinking, "Have these people really never seen anything like this? Give me a break."
Anyway, Turkey Day will answer all of my questions, I suppose...
Transcendent is that the latest over use critic term like "visionary" and "groundbreaking"
George D - In our first Oscar predictions (from this week), we have Michael Stuhlbarg at #1. Thought you'd like to know. :)
http://awardswatch.com/predictions/2018-oscar-predictions-supporting-actor-march-michael-stuhlbarg-michael-shannon-steve-buscemi-jason-mitchell-ben-mendelsohn/
@ George D
How are the chances of Armie Hammer and Timothee Chalamet in Best Actor category?
@ Erik Anderson I know!! I follow you on twitter and I'm seeing everything! I agree with a lot! Consider "Maudie" and Sally Hawkins.
@ jack If you rely purely on the value of the performances, both should be nominated and Timothee must win. But Timothee is only 20 years old and you know about the young best actors. But they are both deserving.
No "Later"? :(
I'm particularly excited for Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, Thai Cinematographer who did many Apichatpong's and Miguel Gomez's Arabian Nights. Hope he brings something refreshingly gorgeous to the table. He might be the first one from my country to earn awards attention as big as the Oscars.
@Ian, I haven't seen the film, but my impression from what I've read (interviews, reviews, etc.) is that Luca, Merchant, and & Co. have definitely taken liberties with the script.
When I adapted this novel as a script for my senior thesis in college, I did as well.
I'd venture to guess they've taken more. Hahaha!
We shall see, eh?
Still think they're blowing it waaaay out of the water, but I'm just a mere, lowly mortal, what do I know?
Count my also in the underwhelmed column for the book. So many inconsistencies in the action and the characters' motivations. Hope the movie resolves those glaring issues.
I have the book sitting here to be read next.
Good to know that, true to form, people are already putting way too many expectations on it, creating narratives that don't exist, and critiquing it excessively.
Yeah...
It's called being alive, Mr. Dunks.
And thanks to it and rationality, you can have your cake, just as I can have mine. :)
Pleasant readings to you.