Plot Edit

It is the summer of 1983. Elio, a 17-year-old Jewish-American youth, lives with his parents in rural northern Italy. Elio's father, a professor of archaeology, invites a 24-year-old Jewish-American graduate student, Oliver, to live with the family over the summer and help with his academic paperwork. Elio, an introspective bibliophile and a talented musician, initially thinks he has little in common with Oliver, who has a carefree and exuberant personality. Elio resents having to give up his bedroom to Oliver for the duration of his stay. Elio spends much of the summer reading, playing piano, and hanging out with his girlfriend, Marzia. Meanwhile, Oliver expresses attraction for one of the local girls, much to Elio's annoyance. Elio and Oliver swim together, go for long walks into town, and accompany Elio's father on an archaeological trip. Elio begins a sexual relationship with Marzia and brags about it in front of Oliver to gauge his reaction, but nonetheless finds himself increasingly attracted to Oliver. He sneaks into Oliver's room to smell his bathing suit and thinks about him while masturbating. During a trip to the post office, Elio indirectly confesses his feelings to Oliver, who tells him he should not act on them. Later that day, Elio and Oliver kiss, but Oliver is reluctant to go any further. The two grow distant. In response to a note from Elio, Oliver leaves a message on Elio's desk suggesting they meet at midnight. Elio spends the day with Marzia but longs to see Oliver. At midnight, he approaches Oliver and they have sex. They become more physically and emotionally intimate in the days that follow, having sex often while keeping their relationship secret. In bed, Oliver commands Elio, "Call me by your name and I'll call you by mine." Now smitten with Oliver, Elio starts avoiding Marzia. As the end of Oliver's stay approaches, the two find themselves overcome by uncertainty and longing. Elio's parents—who are privately aware of the bond between the two, but do not address it openly—recommend they visit Bergamo together before Oliver returns to the US. They spend three romantic days together. Elio, heartbroken after Oliver's departure, calls his mother and asks her to pick him up and take him home. Marzia is sympathetic to Elio's feelings and wants to remain friends with him. Elio's father, seeing his sadness, tells him he was aware of their relationship and confesses to almost having had a similar relationship in his own youth. He urges Elio to learn from his grief and grow, instead of moving on quickly. During Hanukkah, Oliver calls Elio's family to tell them he is engaged to be married. Oliver tells Elio he remembers everything very clearly. After the call, Elio stares into the fireplace, crying and reminiscing, as his parents and the house staff prepare a holiday dinner.

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Notes Edit

^ [5] Mr. Perlman's full name is mentioned in the film as Samuel "Sammy" Perlman. ^ [22][35] Aciman, however, declared that the novel takes place in Bordighera, saying "I didn't want to name it in the book, but it's known. I go back to Bordighera all the time".[36] During his time as a location consultant, Guadagnino suggested Liguria as the main setting to the producers.[31] Liguria and Sanremo were once depicted as the main setting in the book.Aciman, however, declared that the novel takes place in Bordighera, saying "I didn't want to name it in the book, but it's known. I go back to Bordighera all the time".During his time as a location consultant, Guadagnino suggested Liguria as the main setting to the producers. ^ In the original French, "le cinéma d'art [et] d'essai européen," a term encompassing independent and arthouse films