Webgreen answers “Is Elio’s dad in the closet? It was...”

Luke asked this question about Call Me by Your Name:

Is Elio’s dad in the closet? It was unambiguous in the film, but less so in the novel. His dad says, “Something always held me back or stood in the way.” Elio asks, “Does Mother know?” and the dad replies, "'I don't think she does.' His voice meant, But even if she did, I am sure her attitude would be no different than mine." Is this the mom's assumed attitude towards Elio–Oliver's relationship or about the dad?

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…moreI 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.(less)

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Call Me by Your Name

by André Aciman (Goodreads Author)

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