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Call Me by Your Name,
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Webgreen
I wondered about the response Elio’s father gave about his mother knowing or suspecting. I saw the movie first and it was very obvious that the mother suspected. Her son is literally crying when he returns from his Rome adventure. There were other indications that she suspected prior to that incident, like when Oliver grabs Elio’s arm and asks what time it was. Or when she asked her husband about Elio's feelings when she heard that Oliver was going to leave 3 days earlier. I thought the father was clueless of his wife’s observations, a strong contrast to his observations of his son’s behavior. But this was the movie. In the book, it wasn’t as obvious that she knew. But I was already swayed that the father was just clueless. I thought this was an intentional sway by the director in the way he interpreted the book and directed the subtle knowing looks given by the mother in the movie.
I also wondered if the father was telling Elio that he had once been attracted to a man but didn’t confront his feelings. I agree with Ravenshaw that it could have been just a response to letting a love get away regardless of whether it was a man or woman. But then there is a mention of all “his women” that everyone had heard about. So maybe he was referring to a gay encounter.
I also wondered if the father was telling Elio that he had once been attracted to a man but didn’t confront his feelings. I agree with Ravenshaw that it could have been just a response to letting a love get away regardless of whether it was a man or woman. But then there is a mention of all “his women” that everyone had heard about. So maybe he was referring to a gay encounter.
Gabriella
I agree with your interpretation of this. I think the father is indicating that he is gay, but the answer to whether his mother knows is the answer to whether his mother knows about Elio and Oliver. I can't quite pin point why, but it is my instinctive reading. It is also is strongly suggested that the father knew about the relationship whereas the mother seems to see it as a very close friendship.
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