#84
Post
by Kat » Thu May 31, 2018 5:58 pm
I saw this last night for the first time and found it very beautiful. A film I could have done with in the 80s. It strikes me that by showing his negotiation of his sexuality, sexual experiences, that is is a highly positive film for people with sexual (or gender) fluidity. I say that as a t person in the lbtqi etc etc. That maybe chimes with the comment about a gilded summer we are allowed to share, this seems potentially quite healing - I found it so, and if it helps even one person manage such issues in the sea of so much else even in these more open minded times, then that seems A Very Good Thing.
pandroid I also loved your posts, thank you.
I'm not sure anyone has mentioned Elio's musical talent (have to admit I skipped / speed read some spoilers and some of the to and fro of discussion) - Elio seems very gifted to me. And that seems very important. It chimes with the cultural interests of the film, and his. He transcribes music - that seems important, and he plays beautifully. It just seems key to me - that to be able to do that he takes in these works and he digests them somehow, metabolises them, understands them, not least emotionally - look at his youthful analyses of how he could play Bach in other composers' voices. Yet in his own life he is not progressing so much emotionally, as others have said. But then look at what happens, he is being allowed to process and grow - his shift in presentation is interesting, wonderful, and we're aware of his awareness not least in those final scenes and that wonderful final shot - and I am now very interested in where things go with that ending. And for Oliver who seems not to be able to process what happened (maybe?), for all his ease earlier. His look at Elio when he leaves him said a lot to me, as pandroid has suggested on his own conflicts, and some sense of guilt and concern towards Elio. I'm thinking in this country (UK) at that time what happened could have been most problematic. Even now given Elio's age, this suggests to me reasons For Oliver being concerned. Though I believe in a romantic view of their relationship overall, or want to.
There were elements to this story that introduced some very real edges to this wonderful summer, their need to be cautious in public, Oliver's and his father's experiences, the staff speaking in the kitchen, those reactions after their first night and later, Elio's poses (say sat at the disco) before he can let himself feel comfortable, his sudden utter vulnerability later when he faces the world again when he needs his mum. These all seemed observed, yes maybe in ways that those who have had some similar feelings may be attuned to -- but also observed in a way as gentle as that of his parents with him, that seems a huge part of the films gift to us, gentle understanding that surely unlocks compassion. What parents, I am so glad that studio suggestion did not seem to make it in (to me)...I did wonder about next summer's female assistant, but that's superficial in light of that wonderful talk with his father and how we're sure he is growing. And yes that decision about his mum, my goodness. Touching on these parts is emotional - it will live long in my memory I am sure.