Love, Simon - Review
This review of Love, Simon is spoiler-free!
The coming-of-age story is something that we've seen well traveled over the years. To name a few we have The Breakfast Club, Boyhood, Juno, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and so many more that it's impossible to list them all. But the truth of the matter is that these types of films have had a major problem in their execution. In our world of growing inclusion and equality, we're starting to realize that the idea of a boy and a girl love story and coming-of-age tale just doesn't need to be told anymore. Love, Simon doesn't sugarcoat the fact that it's a big change of pace for this genre of filmmaking and that carefree nature to its story makes it something work seeing and discussing. So without further adieu, let's get into this review of Love, Simon!
As you can probably guess this is a story all about a young man named Simon. See Simon is the normal high school kid, living a life just like anyone else. He has great friends, loving parents, and a sister whose exploring different career paths. Except for one big thing. He's gay. Simon hasn't come out to anyone because he's terrified of life-changing. So when Simon is browsing a popular blog board for his high school and discovers the story of another closet gay male at his school, he sees an outlet. Slowly he and this other person develop a relationship over the internet, but when things go awry Simon is forced to face the reality that some things can't be hidden forever.
So, I'm not going to write this and act like I understand the differences that face being a homosexual in America versus a heterosexual, but I can't deny there's a power and a struggle with Simon that is absolutely stellar. The story has bits and pieces that feel generic such as two members of his friend group having an undeniable attraction, but there's so much new here that it shifts the coming-of-age and love story genres to their cores. Greg Berlanti has formulated an incredible tale in Simon Spier that almost anyone can connect with. The movie chooses to develop the possibilities of Simon's secret love interest in a way that makes sense and seems believable. It's not telegraphed from the beginning and by the time the answers come I was left surprised in a way that I didn't expect. For those of you who have seen those comments about this being a groundbreaking film for the LGBT community, they're all absolutely right. This is a film about inclusion, but it doesn't force it and just focuses on making a great story which makes it all the better.
Outside of the story, there's alot of other stuff I could talk about with Love, Simon; but let's talk about some of the big portrayals in this film. If I was to think of a few specific people to talk about it would be tough, but I have an idea of where to begin. Simon Spier (played by Nick Robinson) is one of the best protagonists in a coming-of-age story that I've ever seen. Robinson plays him with a charisma and gentility that you can't help but connect with him and his story. I would go on and on discussing just how good this portrayal is but instead, I'll just say this: a career performance from Nick Robinson and it absolutely makes the movie that much more than a generic love story.
Speaking of Nick though, I want to take a quick moment to shout out his parents, played by Jennifer Garner and Josh Duhamel. These two play the perfect pair of parents for Simon, they're loving and caring and supportive but you can tell why he's afraid to tell them his big secret. After the secret comes out though, we have some of the most powerful moments the movie can produce in small scenes between him and each of his parents. It's masterful work and I absolutely cried during those two scenes and many more throughout this movie.
To talk about all of the potential lovers that Simon faces throughout this movie would be risking spoiling the plot, but there is someone else outside of Simon's family who I really want to talk about: his name is Martin Addison, played by Logan Miller. He starts off the film as an antagonistic but comedic counterpart to Simon and his friends. By the end of the movie though we see him as a different person and the character development from him is great. As a whole, there's a lot of stories being told in this film that helped to develop each and every one of these characters and I'm satisfied with every piece of development we saw in this movie.
Finally, I just want to talk about the overall implication that comes with a movie like this. As I mentioned at the very beginning, Love, Simon is a different movie and a perfect movie for the changing climate in America. In a world that is becoming ever more accepting and welcoming of people who are different, Love, Simon hits all of the right notes on coming out and taking that weight off the shoulders of those who struggle with it. It's an anthem and a call for those who feel lost and scared to finally be at peace with who they are no matter what may come afterward. For me, that's what just makes this movie so absolutely beautiful. I've seen many movies in my life that have all different themes and focuses, but Love, Simon knows what it wants and absolutely grabs you by the horns with it.
This is a story that nearly everyone should see if they've ever felt lost or scared, and especially for those struggling with the reality of who they are, this is a story for you. And finally, this movie doesn't just connect with those who are struggling with their sexuality, it connects with everyone who has had a strange high school experience. That's most definitely not the main focus, but that open nature of the story makes it that much more welcoming to a wider audience and for that I'm thankful. Why may you ask? Because that means even more people will see Love, Simon.
9.5/10
