Even with Tilda Swinton’s strong performance, it seems Luca Guadagnino made a misjudgment in prioritizing technique over narrative. What's the purpose of filmmaking? It feels like a simple question, but for me, it’s key to understanding what doesn't work here. The core issue is that I believe cinema should primarily be about telling a story. That means aesthetics and style should support the plot, not overshadow it. This film reverses that principle; it uses a narrative as an excuse for showcasing stylistic choices. The script itself had potential – a familiar but engaging setup. There are countless movies exploring themes of infidelity, dissatisfaction in mature women’s lives, dysfunctional wealthy families, etc., but this one at least had the basic ingredients to be enjoyable. It centers on a Russian woman married to an Italian textile magnate with three children. She isn't necessarily unhappy, but her life is dull and dictated by social expectations, leading her to find excitement in an affair with a friend of one of her sons. Predictably, when this comes out, the family’s stability crumbles. The film has merit based on its story and script, despite the reliance on clichés and predictable melodrama. However, director Luca Guadagnino doesn't seem concerned with telling a compelling story. He isn't interested in creating something that successfully blends art and entertainment. Instead, Guadagnino appears more focused on demonstrating his knowledge of filmmaking—his technical skills, cinematography, music, sound design, and visual presentation. Ultimately, it feels like an empty display of technique and style. Tilda Swinton skillfully collaborated with the director to craft a character that played to her strengths. It was evidently a lengthy process, but she used the project to achieve a positive outcome. And it's undeniable that Swinton delivers a powerful and nuanced performance as the lead. Sadly, she’s the only member of the cast who truly shines; the rest, primarily Italian actors, are rather unremarkable, offering bland and uninspired portrayals, with some characters proving particularly grating. As mentioned previously, Guadagnino concentrates his efforts on the technical aspects, striving to showcase his abilities, and he is certainly proficient in cinematography and filmmaking. The film effectively utilizes its locations in Milan and around Italy, managing to convey the enjoyment of a good meal. In fact, it captures the pleasure of indulgence more convincingly than it portrays sexual intimacy, as all the sex scenes feel contrived and exaggerated. This sense of artificiality is compounded by an excessively slow pace that can be numbing, along with an intrusive and melodramatic soundtrack.

Source on TMDB