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‘Love Simon’ Is A Groundbreaking, Surprisingly Great Take On The Teen Drama [Review]

How is it 2018 and “Love, Simon” is the first major gay teen film from a studio? The film is at once groundbreaking and so long overdue that it’s embarrassing. For decades, teens have seen themselves on screen in characters such as Cady Heron, Kat Stratford, Lloyd Dobbler and Samantha Baker, and finally offering a gay lead character to stand among them is groundbreaking for teenagers who can identify with Simon Spier (Nick Robinson). But the best part of “Love, Simon” isn’t only that it’s an important film: it’s that it’s a truly good one full of humor and heart that can stand with the best teen movies that they’ll watch on repeat, regardless of the gender of their crush.

Based on Becky Albertalli’s YA novel “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda,” “Love, Simon” begins with an intro from 17-year-old Simon, who is a teen living an Instagram-ready life full of great friends, a loving family and a bedroom straight out of the PB Teen website. However, no one knows the secret of his sexuality, which he’s worked to keep quiet. When someone shares an anonymous post on his high school website that he is also gay, Simon sends him an equally anonymous message, sharing that he is in the same situation.

The two teens exchange emails, making this feel like the gay teen version of rom-com essential “You’ve Got Mail” in the best of ways. Simon wonders who among his fellow students is his e-pen pal, examining each real-life interaction with potential partners and imagining them together. Meanwhile, he continues to hide his secret from his closest friends, and daily carpool, mates Leah (Katherine Langford), Nick (Jorge Lendeborg Jr.) and Abbey (Alexandra Shipp). When another student reads his email and threatens to expose him (always log out on public computers, Simon), our hero will do anything to make sure he stays quiet.

“Love, Simon” is full of warmth and wit, piling jokes on jokes but never skimping on the emotional impact of Simon’s experience and the value of his relationships. Some might call the film cheesy, but it feels on par with other movies in the genre. *minor spoiler ahead* At the press screening (which appeared to also include fans of Albertalli’s book), our crowd cheered at the swoon-worthy finale. Not only is it an emotionally satisfying finish, but it still feels revelatory for a young gay romance to have such a happy ending, given the tragedies so often seen on screen for similar characters. *end spoilers*

Director Berlanti has limited film experience (“Life as We Know It,” “The Broken Hearts Club“) in comparison to his deep TV résumé that includes all the DC Comics shows on The CW, as well as “Riverdale,” “Blindspot” and “Brothers and Sisters.” This feels like the best version of Berlanti, whose shows sometimes lose their well-crafted characters in search of a convoluted plot (ahem, “The Flash“), and it’s important to have the voice of an out gay filmmaker at the helm. Here, he adapted the work of another writer, and the finished product nicely combines his experience working with young actors, solid casting and appreciation of the importance of relationships of all stripes. There’s value in not only the central romance but in Simon’s connections to his family and friends, as well as the links between them.

As Simon, Robinson ably carries the film, appearing on screen for almost every moment of the movie’s 109-minute runtime. He’s entirely believable in both his vulnerability and his excitement, sharing Simon’s fears and joys with the audience, so we feel them, too. The other young members of the cast are equally strong, particularly “13 Reasons Why” star Langford as Simon’s lifelong bestie, Leah. Their friendship is a key part of the film, giving it additional emotional depth.

However, the grown-ups aren’t forgotten here. Jennifer Garner and Josh Duhamel play Simon’s parents, and Garner is the adoptive mom I never knew I needed. Tony Hale is a chummy vice principal whose jokes feel like ones authority figures make in high school halls to endear themselves to their students. But the MVP of the adults is Natasha Rothwell as the school musical director Ms. Albright. She’s the best on-screen teacher since Allison Janney in “10 Things I Hate About You,” both unafraid of giving her students shit and a fierce defender of them, as well.

“Love, Simon” is filled with details and specificity, making Simon’s story feel real and authentic in each moment, from the music he listens to to the costumes seen at a Halloween party, elevating it above what could have been the after-school special version of the same story. These characters feel like actual people, giving representation for those that still need more on screen and offering empathy for those outside the experience. But “Love, Simon” never feels like it exists merely because it should; its endearing charm makes it a film that viewers will watch regardless of its valuable social impact. [B+]

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24 COMMENTS

  1. it’s easy to have a swoon-worthy finale when you are white, upper middle class and look like nick robinson. also, why not cast a gay actor for this role? it’s great that a movie like this is coming from a big studio, but like everything else it comes sugar coated so it can be easily digestible.

    • But how many swoon-worthy finale and sugar-coated movies that LGBTQIA+ people have?

      How many gay actors that’s out at Nick Robinson’s age? (He’s 22)

        • None of them starred in a studio movie before. Brandon Flynn should join the other 13 Reasons Why co-stars on this movie but there’s one openly bisexual young actor in the movie.

          • nick robinson hadn’t done a big studio movie before he was cast in jurrassic world. actually chris colfer is more recognizable than robinson, the only reason he would never be considered for this kind of movie is cause he’s more “feminine” and people can’t handle that.

          • Glee was how long ago? People just stopped watching it. Chris Colfer hasn’t transitioned to movies unlike say Margot Robbie or Bradley Cooper.

            And yes blame the people for not liking queeny dudes not the studio. They’re fine for a sitcom like Will & Grace but not starring in romcom movies. One would hope that’ll change

          • the studio could do it, they just choose not to because it isn’t profitable.
            so gay narratives continue to be misrepresented in a heteronormative way.

          • You’re forgetting that Love, Simon is the first studio-made gay movie…Not Oscar bait where the couple broke up, have AIDS or die…

            Just stop complaining

          • so you automatically associate aids with gay people?
            obviously you are not gay and do not care for fair representation, so go watch the movie and pretend you were never casually homophobic (let’s not forget your comment that “queeny” gays should be relegated to sitcoms).

          • Lol I am gay and Hollywood has been associating HIV with being gay it’s in the majority of storylines for gay people in movies or TV.

            I can ask the same thing to you. How come you only associate queeny guys as gay? That’s homophobic

          • i don’t, it’s a portion of the gay population that doesn’t get fairly represented. it’s a character trait that’s not usually portrayed for fear of alienating the audience. why do the filmmakers have to play it safe all the time? in my opinion if the lead in this movie had been effeminate, it would’ve been a more engrossing tale. switch genders and sexual orientation, it wouldn’t differentiate from your standard rom-com. they simply replace the “quirky” of a straight character with gay. and that’s just lazy. any gay teen (regardless of how they express themselves) can tell a much more nuanced and layered story of their life.
            (also u keep blaming on the people and on hollywood, but you’re the one that said it, phi phi)

          • Excuse me, who’s the one attacking the movie in the first place. And I keep hammering this point that you ignore. IT IS ALSO THE FIRST PARAGRAPH OF THE ARTICLE!!

            It’s the first studio movie to ever tackle the issue! Would you step out of the closet any other way than safe?

            The book was made by someone from Georgia, yes the state which just signed “religious freedom” bill on same-sex adoption.

            And you’re the one who’s keep twisting my words around. All I did was defend the movie from trolls like you who wants the movie to fail.

          • you don’t need to scream. i get it, dude.
            i just rather have high standards for quality of storytelling than take what i can get. that attitude is what has enabled many misguided trends and cliches.
            stepping out of the closet is never safe. only someone privileged enough to be surronded by open-minded people can warrant a safe coming out experience.
            if that is similar to what you’ve had, than congrats and good for you. but i doubt that reflects what most gay people have been through.

    • “why not cast a gay actor for this role?”

      What’s wrong with a straight actor? It’s just a role. I believe acting usually implies playing a part and becoming someone you’re not, so why would casting a straight actor for an LGBT role be wrong? LGBT people have been cast for straight roles since the dawn of time, and there’s no expectation that’ll stop – in fact, if an LGBT actor were publicly denied a role because they’re not straight and the character is a scandal would ensue.

      I understand the complaint when a film is whitewashed, but casting an actor of a different sexual orientation to the one being portrayed is a problem now? It is always said that what matters is who we are, not who we like. I think it’s about time some people start doing as they say and stop being offended over stupid stuff.

      • people shouldnt claim this movie is a breath of fresh air or a relatable account since it still perpetuates stuff like casting someone good looking and straight just so it doesn’t offend the mainstream since it is already a movie about a gay teen.
        robinson is a talented kid and im glad this movie is coming out but just don’t label it as “outside of the box” because the creators made sure that nothing about it would be hard to swallow. and many gay teens can tell a high scholl experience that was much more brutal and terrifying than what this movie claims as real and relatable.

      • There are more than one black friend! Have u even watch the trailer. *Eyeroll*

        Because the movie and the book is based on Simon.#Duh

        Make your own movie!

        • you know what i meant.
          you are not that limited.
          obviously you are a fan of the book/movie, so i’m sorry if a struck a nerve
          ¯_(ツ)_/¯
          i’m gonna check out now. but nice chatting with you.
          love, saulo.

          • No I didn’t know what you mean. The interview with the actor on the link stated otherwise.

            There’s even more diversity in the movie!

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