Recently there was a rash of controversy involving a review Time Magazine published for Greg Berlanti’s new romantic comedy film Love, Simon, with the review questioning just how valuable an amicable, mainstream-minded film with a gay protagonist would be in the relatively more progressive year of 2018.
Personally, I don’t think that accounts for the multiple decades of watching various LGBTQ stereotypes on screen (some more problematic than others), not to mention the many hardships people still have to contend with today in real life. I can only imagine how many kids probably wish they could have watched a film like this growing up.
Based on Becky Albertalli’s novel Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda, the titular Simon Spier (Nick Robinson) seems like a typical run-of-the-mill, upper class high school student, outside the questioning of his sexuality. His crew of friends- long time bestie Leah (Katherine Langford), the slightly clueless at times Nick (Jorge Lenderborg Jr.) and the new girl in town Abby (Alexandra Shipp)- are unaware of his “one huge ass secret”, and the rest of the school is none the wiser.
I admire how this film understands how personal and difficult the process of coming out of the closet actually is. His dad (Josh Duhamel) may be more sensitive than most men, but he’s still a former high school quarterback who wed his sweetheart (Jennifer Garner, who has an understated but powerful performance here)- the ultimate love story cliche. Even though Simon’s family are quite tolerant and more than likely would support him, it’s still a scary step forward in his eyes.
Simon’s one outlet is his e-mail exchanges with “Blue”, another closeted gay student he sparks a cyber-affair with over the school message board, using the pen name “Jacques”. Even without either one knowing the other’s identity, they still manage to spark an intense friendship. Unfortunately for our affable hero, this is when the film’s de facto villain Martin Addison (Logan Miler) steps in to take a glimpse at Simon’s e-mails, decides to print them out and blackmail Simon into hooking him up for a date with Abby.
As Simon is desperate to keep his pen pal private, he agrees to help Martin, leading to him making some poor decisions that frustrate his friends. These plot beats feel a bit soap-operaish at points, but Simon’s dilemma is written in a fashion that doesn’t excuse his actions, while also keeping him a sympathetic figure to the audience.
Robinson’s performance as Simon goes a long way to make him endearing. He displays an entertaining blend of teenage awkwardness (especially during his attempts at karaoke during a Halloween party), warm charm, the angst of growing up and genuine heart as he tries to solve the mystery of Blue’s identity. His rapport with his crew feels very natural, especially involving a pivotal scene between him and Shipp’s Abby later into the film. Even Miller’s Martin manages to have a sort of dweeby, motor-mouthed appeal when he attempts to boost Abby’s self-esteem, as much as the audience will certainly grow to despise him later.
Simon narrates his frustrations and hopes to the audience as the film progresses, including some funny fantasy sequences where he wonders why straight people don’t have to out themselves and how expressive he wants to be in college. The latter features a fun Whitney Houston dance sequence where the protagonist tries and fails miserably to keep up with his backups.
In many ways, Love, Simon feels like a rather typical John Hughes-style teen romance film, which is both a positive and a negative. This is a very touching and affectionate dramedy that presents its gay lead as the ideal boy next door, which is still a radical creative decision for Hollywood and pop culture in general. The stakes in this film may not be life or death, but a young heart in love likely won’t agree, and Berlanti’s sharp (and heartwarming) direction always keeps Simon’s quest exciting.
Though I can’t help but feel like it pays itself a little safe at points, I’d have liked to see a sharper, more risky style of humor from it. However, the sincere sweetness and uncompromising attitude it takes towards its subject matter make this a film that’s hard to hate on. The fact that Love, Simon even exists feels subversive in and of itself, and the movie itself isn’t too shabby either. Strongly recommended.
If you’d had the chance to see Love, Simon, let us know what you thought at @officialFAN on Twitter!