Review of Love, Simon (2018) by Blownspeakers — 23 Mar 2018

You didn’t like Black Panther!? You’re racist!

You didn’t like The Last Jedi!? You’re a sexist pig! You don’t think Wonder Woman should be nominated for an Oscar? You hate diversity! I’m starting to feel like I live in a world where my realYou didn’t like Black Panther!? You’re racist!

You didn’t like The Last Jedi!? You’re a sexist pig! You don’t think Wonder Woman should be nominated for an Oscar? You hate diversity!

I’m starting to feel like I live in a world where my real opinions on the new age of progressive blockbusters are being held hostage by those that leverage people’s fear of being called a racist, homophobe, or sexist against them. I mean heaven forbid if instead of getting offended and recklessly labeling someone, they actually consult their own ideas and explore them in a constructive conversation!

So, let me clarify: I don’t have a problem with the new age of blockbusters that are sending messages of equality, empowerment, and diversity, I have problem with the lackluster delivery of those messages. This is precisely why I love Greg Berlanti’s Love, Simon. It isn’t a film that demands to be called a classic just because of its progressive ideas on sexuality. It actually earns your respect and admiration with the care it puts into the parts that drive its message home. It’s a movie that’s hilarious as it is heartfelt, has a story that moves at an immaculate pace, and features fully realized characters that you’ll remember long after you’ve left the theater.

The Plot: Simon is a high school senior with a good head on his shoulders and everything going for him -- he has a happy family, loyal friends, and is all geared up and ready for college. But he has a secret that’s been eating at him since middle school: he’s gay. Having only one year left of high school, he wants to keep his “normal life” before coming out and truly being himself in college. But then his whole world changes when a boy anonymously comes out of the closet on his school’s social network. Simon decides to connect with him under an alias, and as they bond over their situation, they eventually fall in love. Who is this boy? Will they reveal their identities to each other? Will they come out of the closet before graduation? These are the questions that keep the story moving.

Now I haven’t approached anything near the teen drama realm in years, so naturally, this movie’s style caught me off guard. The color contrast is dialed up, the lighting is bright, and the way in which these characters exchange lines is very on the nose. But after about 5 minutes, I was able to settle in, as the aesthetic matches the feel-good tone of the film.

The Acting: Nick Robinson (The 5th Wave) as the everyday teen that likes hanging out with his friends, getting coffee, and obsessing over music actually feels very real. There’s a genuine charm to the actor that allows the low-key comedic delivery in his narration to be effective. He’s also able to handle the lows that his character goes through without coming off as overdramatic. The rest of the actors that play his friends are all convincing in getting across that lifelong friendship dynamic with the actor, and I was very surprised with Josh Duhamel (a “bro” who always came off to me as a stock TV actor), who puts on a shockingly vulnerable performance as Simon’s dad, but what really jumped off the screen at me were all the hilarious side characters. Tony Hale (Buster from Arrested Development) is great as the kids’ awkwardly down to earth principal, but Natasha Rothwell as the defeated but scathingly sassy drama teacher stole the show for me. The film moves at a beautiful pace and manages to be both funny and heartfelt without being sappy. Most importantly, it’s easy to take this ride with Simon through the highs and lows of his senior year because screenwriters, Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker, have maintained the original novel’s ability to make his struggle universally relatable, regardless of whether you’re straight or gay. If you’ve ever felt like you’re “holding your breath” because you feel different, alienated, or lost, you will feel a strong connection to this film.

Overall, Love, Simon reminds me of a combination of the humor of Mean Girls meets the coming of age story of a John Hughes film. I understand there have been many films that have explored the many issues the LGBT community faces, but the fact that director, Greg Berlanti and co., are able take this tale of sexual self-discovery to the mainstream and make it relatable on such a wide scale is important. I firmly believe this film will go on to educate, empower, and possibly save lives.