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emlo9295 (2)
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I think he probably just had suspicions based on how Elio was acting, and their version of flirting was sort of to show off their intellect. Elio was also wanting to go with him everywhere and catching glances and certain behaviors. I think Oliver also felt the same way and could read into that body language and tone and could probably infer what he was talking about.
Here is how I look at it. First, the ages are 17 and 24 (and in real life about 20 and 29 while filming). The age difference is definitely there for a reason, but not for the point of him being "underage" and it being predatory, but more so to showcase the contrasts as well as similarities between where they both are at in life. That is expressed in terms of being comfortable with themselves and who they are as a person and who they want to be with and how and why they end up bonding. The ages are to help better contextualize the background, family, culture, era, intelligence, confidence, experience, maturity, self-awareness, etc. of the characters. This also helps explain the reality of the relationship in terms of if it can last or how it can last and how they are both going to feel about it. If it makes you uncomfortable act like the younger character (Elio) is 18 or 19 since the point isn't about age but rather the stage in life. Elio is at an age where it's his first love and obsession and different sexual feelings are coming to the surface and having him younger is a realistic stage in life when that would happen. There is the argument too that age shouldn't matter because its legal and the age of consent in Italy even younger than 17, which maybe you don't think is right but that what it is. There is also the argument that Elio is mature for his age and they are intellectually on the same level. Elio is also is pursuing the older character and its not predatory at all and it is all consensual. I don't really like the general argument or excuse of "well he's mature for his age" because thats a common creep move in real life for excusing predatory behavior, but the truth is it is all legal and consensual and the exact age isn't the point. Its not a pedophile story in legal or thematic terms. ( I am not very good at writing or consolidating my thoughts so I hope this made at least a little sense)
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