OVERLAY REPORT

In *Call Me by Your Name* (2017), the primary conflict between Elio and Oliver is not a traditional antagonistic rivalry, but rather an **internal and interpersonal tension** rooted in the fear of rejection, the struggle with emerging queer identity, and the "ticking clock" of a fleeting summer. ### How the Conflict Started The conflict began almost immediately upon Oliver’s arrival at the Perlman villa in northern Italy, manifesting in two specific ways: 1. **The "Usurper" and Displaced Space:** Elio initially resents Oliver, whom he views as a "usurper." This starts because Elio is forced to give up his bedroom to Oliver for the summer, moving into an adjoining room. This physical displacement creates an immediate, low-level friction; Elio views Oliver’s American confidence and his casual "Later!" as arrogant and intrusive. 2. **The Volleyball Misunderstanding:** The first major moment of interpersonal friction occurs during a casual volleyball game. Oliver reaches out to massage Elio’s shoulder, noticing his tension. Elio, overwhelmed by a mix of desire and confusion, flinches and pulls away. Oliver misinterprets this reaction as a sign of dislike or physical repulsion. This creates a "testing stage" characterized by coldness and distance, as both characters become afraid to reveal their true feelings for fear of rejection or causing offense. ### Key Dimensions of the Conflict * **The Struggle for Authenticity vs. Shame:** A significant portion of the conflict is the "will-they-won't-they" dance where both characters are unsure of the other's intentions. Oliver, being older (24) and a guest of Elio's father, feels a greater burden of responsibility. He explicitly tells Elio at the "Monet’s berm" scene that they "can’t talk about those things" and that he "wants to be good," signaling his internal conflict between his desire for Elio and his fear of societal or moral shame. * **The Silence (Post-Kiss Conflict):** After their first kiss, the conflict shifts into a period of agonizing silence. Oliver pulls back to maintain boundaries, leading Elio to feel rejected. This drives Elio to seek a distraction with his friend Marzia, which only complicates his emotional state further. The conflict is only resolved when Elio leaves a note for Oliver saying, "I can't stand the silence," to which Oliver famously responds, "Grow up. See you at midnight." * **The Conflict of Time:** The ultimate external conflict is the **transience of summer**. Unlike many romance films where the obstacle is a person or a social law, the primary "villain" here is the calendar. Both characters enter the relationship knowing it has an expiration date, which creates a bittersweet tension that peaks during their final trip to Bergamo and Oliver's eventual departure at the train station. ### Conclusion The conflict is less about two people fighting and more about the **vulnerability required to be known by another.** It starts with Elio’s petty resentment of a houseguest and evolves into a profound struggle against the fear of being "found out" and the eventual, unavoidable pain of saying goodbye.