Individuals who are passionate about films and actors often find themselves repeatedly drawn to such experiences. In the year 2017, I encountered a performance that was remarkably unique – Timothée Chalamet in Luca Guadagnino’s “Call Me by Your Name.” He portrayed an awkward, sensitive teenager who fell in love with his father’s 24-year-old graduate student. His portrayal of a lovesick boy felt authentic and real, yet he also evoked something elusive, the sensation of both drifting and struggling to stay afloat in a situation beyond one’s capabilities. He then delivered an exceptional performance as Laurie, another lovesick youth, in Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women.” I found it hard to believe anyone could match Christian Bale’s portrayal from the 1994 version, yet Chalamet managed it, capturing both the character’s stubbornness and his capacity for unwavering loyalty.
However, around the time of the dual releases of “Dunes,” two well-made films that nevertheless existed in a world I couldn’t fully immerse myself in, and especially Guadagnino’s “Bones and All,” a cannibalistic romance meet-cute, I started to tire of Chalamet. Despite his evident dedication, I felt detached from him – his simmering broodiness and sincerity no longer resonated with me. It’s easy to profess love for actors, but it can also lead to becoming a miniature despot, constantly demanding proof and shouting, “Prove yourself!”
In simpler terms, people who enjoy movies often find themselves drawn to the same experiences again and again. In 2017, I encountered a remarkable performance by Timothée Chalamet in Luca Guadagnino’s “Call Me by Your Name.” He played an awkward, sensitive teenager who fell in love with his father’s graduate student. His portrayal felt genuine, but he also conveyed something elusive, the sensation of both drifting and struggling to stay afloat in a challenging situation. He then gave an exceptional performance as Laurie, another lovesick youth, in Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women.” I found it hard to believe anyone could match Christian Bale’s portrayal from the 1994 version, yet Chalamet managed it.
However, around the time of the dual releases of “Dunes” and Guadagnino’s “Bones and All,” I started to tire of Chalamet. Despite his obvious effort, I couldn’t fully connect with him – his brooding intensity and sincerity no longer appealed to me. It’s easy to say you love actors, but it can also lead to demanding constant proof from them.
