8 Movies to Watch if you Love Call Me By Your Name
Ever since the Oscar winning film, Call Me By Your Name, gained its cult following back in 2017, many could not wait for the sequel. Many fans anxiously awaited the release date as rumors circulated. How much longer would fans have to wait for more artistic cinematography and Italian romance?
Yet, there still has been no official answer to when the sequel may be released. Star Armie Hammier, who plays Oliver in the film, made a brief comment regarding a potential release. “So chronologically in the story line, it doesn’t happen right after the first one. There is a gap. So Luca [the author of Call Me By Your Name] wants to wait so that we age a bit more so that gap makes sense…”
Unfortunately for the fans, the waiting game begins. However, rather than watch Call Me By Your Name endless times, here are 8 movies that are perfect to watch if you love Call Me By Your Name.
1. Maurice (1987)
Taking place in 1909, Maurice tells the story of two English men attending Cambridge, who come to terms with their sexuality and eventually fall in love. Maurice Hall, played by James Wilby and Clive Durham, played by Hugh Grant, must end their intense yet short romance due to their society not being accepting of homosexuality. Despite Clive’s feelings, just like in Call Me By Your Name, he goes to marry a woman, leaving Maurice to come to turns with what his heart wants, in an Edwardian society that is a challenge to defy.
2. I Am Love (2009)
Set in Milan, Luca Guadagnino (director of Call Me By Your Name) portrays a powerfully wealthy family that is respected by many in the city. Emma, who left her home in Russia to live in Italy with her husband and raise their family of three. Yet, she feels like she is missing out on a part of her life. Then one day, a talented chef and a friend of her son, Antonio, takes her life by storm with a whirl wind affair. I Am Love explores the issues of family and finding oneself again. With the family already divided over a variety of issues, will Emma let this tantalizing affair be their breaking point, or be the dutiful mother the family wants her to be?
3. Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003)
Girl with a Pearl Earring is based off the mysterious story of Johannes Vermeer’s most famous painting by the same name. The girl in the painting, Griet, played by Scarlett Johansson becomes a maid for Vermeer upon her father becoming blind. Griet strikes up a friendship with the painter, yet both decide to keep it a secret to not cause his wife to become jealous.
However, friendship soon spirals into something more as Vermeer and Griet are forced to spend long hours alone together to create the famous portrait. The film is not about lust and power, rather, “It is about things not said, opportunities not taken, potentials not realized, lips unkissed…” (RogerEbert.com).
4. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
Similar to Call Me By Your Name, Portrait of a Lady on Fire has grown a massive following. Taking place in Brittany, France 1760, painter Marianne is obliged to paint a wedding portrait of the reluctant bride-to-be Héloïse. Rather than present herself as a painter, she arrives under the guise of companionship. Marianne watches the young woman by day and paints her by the light of the fire by night.
However, friendship once again blossoms into intimacy and attraction. Eventually, the portrait was no longer just a canvas. Rather the painting became a symbol for their love. Critics describe the film as something so burning with passion, that you will not want to take your eyes off any ember.
5. A Room with a View (1985)
Based on the novel by E.M. Forster, two English women from the Edwardian era England take a tour of Florence, Italy. While on her trip, Lucy Honeychurch meets George Emerson; someone notably free-spirited. This is something refreshing for Honeychurch when compared to the restrictive nature of this English era. As her love grows for George Emerson, she is forced to cut the trip early and head home.
Upon returning, Lucy is soon engaged to Cecil Vyse, a pompous and wealthy Englishman. But, this plan is quickly disrupted as word of the man she began to fall for in Italy, is coming her way to England. This film exemplifies what it means to risk it all, even acceptance in society, for what your heart desires most. It is filled to the brim with gorgeous scenery and a lush romance – exactly what fans of Call Me By Your Name can’t get enough of.
6. Before Sunrise (1995)
While on a train ride to Vienna, an American, Jesse, meets a student, Celine, on her way back to Paris. As the two talk and a connection seems to grow stronger off each word, Jesse finally convinces Celine to get off at Vienna with him.
The two wander the city all day long, learning about the city and each other as the hours pass. However, there is a caveat to this romance; Jesse’s flight back to the United States is the next morning, leaving only 24 hours for the two to be together. As the hours pass the two begin to fall so deeply, that the thought of separating becomes painful.
A decision has to be made by the morning. Will the two go back to their separate lives, or will they see where this chance encounter of a relationship leads them? This film takes a look at two soulmates, and what can transpire in such short time.
7. Disobedience (2017)
Based on the novel by Naomi Alderman, New York photographer, Ronit Krushka (Rachel Weisz), flies home to London after the passing of her estranged father. However, she is not met with a warm welcome from the Orthodox Jewish community she used to belong to. Soon, she meets up with childhood friend Esti (Rachel McAdams), someone she used to have an attraction for.
The return of Ronit also reignites the passion between two, as they begin to break the boundaries of what is accepted in the community. Disobedience is a story of the constraints and scrutiny of religion, and two hearts who are urging to break out.
8. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
In 1963, cowboy Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) and ranch hand Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) are hired as sheep herders in Wyoming. The two spend days and nights camping at Brokeback Mountain, and one drunken night, the two begin their romantic journey.
The two men carry on the charade of being friends around their wives, but continue as lovers whenever possible. The relationship plays out painfully for 20 years until their forbidden romance comes to a head. Heart-wrenching, brimming with romance, all with devastation due to a restrictive society, Brokeback Mountain displays an intensified relationship that only happens once in a life time.
Conclusion
While the sequel to Call Me By Your Name may not be released for years to come, there is a plethora of films that stir the same emotions that Elio and Oliver did in the Oscar winning film. While these films all vary in location and time, one thing still stands true: love can change anything.
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