IN CINEMAS | 'Love, Simon'
Everyone deserves a great love story, but it’s a little more complicated for seventeen-year old Simon Spier.
Based on Becky Albertalli’s acclaimed novel ‘Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda’, ‘Love, Simon’ follows closeted gay teenager Simon Spier (Nick Robinson) as he attempts to discover the identity of the anonymous classmate he’s fallen for online, while simultaneously balancing his friends, his family, high school, and the blackmailer threatening to out him to the entire school. Directed by Greg Berlanti, the film also stars Josh Duhamel, Jennifer Garner, Katherine Langford, Alexandra Shipp, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., and Keiynan Lonsdale.
‘Love, Simon’, brought to us by the same studio and producers of ‘The Fault in Our Stars’, has all the makings of a classic, mainstream coming-of-age flick for today’s generation; but it’s also breaking ground for another all-important reason: it’s the first major studio film to feature a gay teenage lead.
The screenplay (penned by ‘This Is Us’ co-showrunners Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berge) is well-crafted and, with an enticing mystery to boot, hits all the right notes to deliver a light-hearted and warm high school tale. Paired with a modern soundtrack and a diverse cast, who are all superb in their respective roles and oh so likeable, ‘Love, Simon’ is a charming entry into a well-travelled genre.
But in an attempt to appeal to the largest possible crowd, the movie can tend to become frustratingly safe at times. Simon is a normal teenager living a normal life, and it’s something he takes great pains to remind the audience of through his voice-over narration. But given that the film’s protagonist is a privileged, upper-middle class teenager, the film’s opening line of “I’m just like you” could induce a few eye rolls. Not everyone in the real world in Simon’s situation has such a beautiful house, a non-bigoted family, and a beautiful circle of diverse friends whose reactions are never in doubt.
With all that said, the most extraordinary thing about ‘Love, Simon’ is how ordinary it is. It’s relatable and accessible and vanilla, and maybe that’s exactly what it needs to be. No-one’s pretending that the film is a cinematic masterpiece because after all, there have been dozens of mediocre high school films about straight teen romances. It’s about time we finally see one centred on a young gay man.
A genuine crowd-pleaser and a John Hughes-esque romantic comedy-drama, everyone will find something to adore about ‘Love, Simon’.
‘Love, Simon’ is in cinemas now.
#AmyHua #amyhua #BeckyAlbertalli #SimonvstheHomoSapiensAgenda #LoveSimon #editorbelindapearce #NickRobinson #GregBerlanti #JoshDuhamel #JenniferGarner #KatherineLangford #AlexandraShipp #JorgeLendeborgJr #KeiynanLonsdale #TheFaultinOurStars #gay #homosexual #ThisIsUs #IsaacAptaker #ElizabethBerge #JohnHughes
