Call Me By Your Name - Soon to Theaters

Summer love in 1980s Italy. We're going a little arthouse with this book to screen. André Aciman's romantic coming of age story, Call Me By Your Name opens this week in cinemas throughout North America.

Call Me By Your Name is the story of Elio, an Italian-American Jewish 17-year old, and Oliver, a doctoral student who is staying with their family and working with Elio's Academic father for the summer. Elio narrates the story of his attraction to Oliver, first as a fellow Jew and a gregarious opposite to Elio's introversion. While acting as Oliver's tour guide a crush soon develops, and after some tentative starts, they become lovers.

Elio continues the narration through Oliver's time in Italy and the following 20 years. The story is very European with both the affections and realistic lack of a happy-ever-after. Love is complicated.

The Washington Post says of the novel: "If you have ever been the willing victim of obsessive love a force greater than yourself that pulls you inextricably toward the object of your desire you will recognize every nuance of André Aciman's suburb new novel, 'Call Me By Your Name.'"

That's why we're excited about the film adaptation. It's a strong story of discovery that should translate perfectly to the big screen. Even the author is pleased with the adaptation. It is "direct, and so real and persuasive. Wow, they've done better than the book."

When the book is powerful and award-winning, that's high praise.

At the very least see Call Me By Your Name for the Italian scenery. It was primarily shot in Crema, Lombardy, and near Sanremo, where the book is set. Or see it for the powerful love story of two young men in the moment.

Read more by Bianca Smith