Love, Simon-2018
Director Greg Berlanti
Starring Nick Robinson
Scott’s Review #789
Reviewed July 17, 2018
Grade: B+
Love, Simon (2018) is a friendly, mainstream, LGBT film focused on a likable central character. Given the myriad dark films within this genre, the film is refreshing, usually ensconced in the independent genre.
Finally, a wholesome, family-oriented “coming out” story is upon us, and the film succeeds in spades. Perhaps a shade too “happily ever after” with a couple of stereotypes among the supporting characters, Love. Simon is a film to be heralded and certainly recommended.
Popular high school senior Simon (Nick Robinson) has a close circle of friends, hip parents, and an affluent existence in the suburban USA. Seemingly “having it all,” he is nonetheless filled with angst and harbors a deep secret—he is gay.
Closeted, he finds solace with a similarly closeted male student through the school website.
Determined to find out who his classmate is, he embarks on a way to discover his secret crush’s identity while being blackmailed by another schoolmate.
Young newcomer Nick Robinson is an absolute gem and carries the movie successfully. This is in stark contrast to another 2018 release starring a newcomer who failed (A Wrinkle in Time). Alas, Robinson has charm, charisma, wholesome looks, and an earnest persona, which are perfect traits for a coming-of-age film such as Love, Simon.
The audience will instantly root for the teen to find happiness and come to terms with the dreaded coming out to family and friends, which any gay person can relate to.
An enormous positive to the film is that Simon is okay with being gay- it’s the telling of other people that bothers him. He daydreams about starting fresh next year as an out and proud college freshman.
He worries that coming out will ruin his final year of high school and change his relationships with his circle of friends. But he is never ashamed or self-harming in his preference for men.
Lesser, but still significant, high points to the film are the rich diversity among the supporting players.
Several of Simon’s friends are black, and his parents are liberal, open-minded, and well-rounded. Of course, they will be accepting of their son’s chosen lifestyle.
Love, Simon also features diversity among the teachers. The theater teacher is not only black but also a champion for LGBT fairness. These qualities are always a breath of fresh air in film, especially when the target audience undoubtedly is younger.
The filmmakers succeed at breaking a key barrier with Love, Simon. As often is the case, LGBT-themed films target the LGBT audience, which makes sense.
In the case of Love, Simon, the film is an experience that the entire family can watch together, regardless of anyone’s sexual preferences. This detail is critical, as LGBT matters should be considered daily.
At the risk of pigeon-holing, the fact that Simon is masculine and popular and not the slightest bit effeminate or girly is undoubtedly a key to the film’s success.
On that note, the film does add an extremely effeminate and outgoing supporting character named Ethan. I am not sure this character is necessary other than to contrast with Simon.
Perhaps to drive the point home, Simon is a cool, macho guy, and Ethan is not. In one scene, it is assumed that Simon and Ethan are boyfriends, and Simon seems mildly disgusted by this. I’m not sure this subplot works or serves the film’s overall message very well.
Love, Simon contains frequently seen supporting character types that bring us seasoned filmgoers back to the days of the 1980s teen coming-of-age films like Pretty in Pink (1986) and Sixteen Candles (1984).
Several subplots involving characters having crushes on other characters, while another character likes them, are added to the mix for fun and a little drama.
The conclusion is sweet as the initial mystery of “who is the other gay student?” is finally revealed amid a lovely scene of Simon waiting on a Ferris wheel for his online admirer to arrive.
In a purely inclusive moment, the entire school surrounds the newly united couple and beams with pride as the duo tenderly kisses. Mass audience members are exposed to a heartfelt moment and an enormous lesson in dignity and spirit.
Director Greg Berlanti creates a lovely Hollywood film that is rich with diversity, a powerful story, and an inclusive element.
Sure, the film is not heavy and either skims over or misses discussions of powerful emotions that many gay youngsters face, but it is nonetheless a brave and necessary story in its own right.
Love, Simon (2018) is classy, tender, and quite a pleasant experience.
