Don’t Miss This Must-Watch HBO Max Movie Before It Expires This Week!
As the month draws to a close, it signals a familiar shift: your favorite streamers will be rotating out old content and introducing new movies, shows, and specials. If you’re subscribed to HBO or Max, several films will be departing the platform shortly.
Among the films leaving the service, Watch With Us highly recommends you watch Call Me by Your Name, a romantic drama that launched Timothée Chalamet into stardom and put director Luca Guadagnino on the radar of many film enthusiasts. Based on the novel by André Aciman, Call Me by Your Name is a visually stunning exploration of love, sexuality, and coming of age. Here’s why you should experience this film.
It Celebrates Summer Love
With Memorial Day behind us, the thought of summer is in the air, and Call Me by Your Name beautifully encapsulates the laid-back essence of warm summer days interlaced with romantic tension. Set in 1983, the film follows Elio Perlman (Chalamet), a 17-year-old Jewish-French-Italian boy living with his parents in the serene countryside of Northern Italy.
Elio’s father (Michael Stuhlbarg), an archaeology professor, invites 24-year-old graduate student Oliver (Armie Hammer) to stay with the Perlman family for summer research assistance. Elio quickly becomes captivated by the dashing and self-assured older man.
This film pays homage to the beauty of summer romance, filled with meandering walks through the Italian landscape and afternoons spent reading in the sun. Yet, the narrative is layered with complexities stemming from the age difference and the characters’ inquiries regarding their sexual identities.
If you’re in the mood for a deeper, more nuanced summer romance, Call Me by Your Name is an excellent choice. Additionally, check out the novel it’s based on for a dreamy beach read, and see how it compares to the film.
If You Enjoyed ‘Challengers,’ You’ll Appreciate This Film
Challengers, a tennis-centric love triangle film directed by Guadagnino and starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist, was among the summer 2024’s biggest successes. If you were drawn to the intricate relationships, sexual tension, and unique visual flair of that film, you will find Call Me by Your Name equally rewarding.
The earlier film unfolds at a slower, more reflective pace compared to the high-energy tension of Challengers, but Guadagnino’s directorial style adapts seamlessly to both storytelling approaches.
Things at Warner Bros. Discovery are always evolving. Recently, the company announced that its streaming service, Max, will revert to its original title, HBO Max. (Most people still refer to it as such, so the shift isn’t monumental.) However, what stands out is HBO Max’s May movie line-up, which includes […]
The Themes Were Groundbreaking
Since 2017, queer and age-gap romances have gained more visibility, even as Hollywood adapts its focus on diversity. Films such as Babygirl, The Idea of You, Bottoms, and even Challengers come to mind.
Call Me By Your Name played a pivotal role in paving the way for these films, normalizing similar themes and achieving commercial success. It was Sony Pictures Classics’ third-highest-grossing release that year.
The Film’s Awards Recognition is Remarkable
Call Me By Your Name earned multiple accolades and received several nominations. Chalamet became the third-youngest Best Actor nominee in Oscars history, and the film secured the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
It was also nominated for Best Picture and Best Original Song. Screenwriter James Ivory won Best Adapted Screenplay at the BAFTA, AFI Awards, Critics’ Choice Awards, and Writers Guild of America Awards.
In summary, investing time to watch Call Me by Your Name is well worthwhile. Be sure to catch it before it exits HBO and Max on May 31.
