Love, Simon is your typical teenage rom-com/coming of age film, with one exception. The coming of age is also complemented by coming out, as the titular character Simon is a closeted gay teenager, unsure of how to come out to his friends and family. He finds comfort in anonymous emailing with another closeted gay guy from his school, growing close despite not knowing who each other are.
Nick Robinson plays the titular role of Simon. I'll be honest he was probably my biggest fear going into the movie because I've been pretty unimpressed with him thus far. I liked him a lot in the show Melissa and Joey, but his boring and awkward performance in Jurassic World was one of the worst parts of the movie. Luckily in this film he finds his stride and delivers some really good work. His awkward style fits the character really well and he surprisingly delivers some very strong emotional work in certain scenes. His narration is funny and he does a great job carrying the film. The supporting cast around Robinson is also pretty great. Every teen movie seems to have awesome parents and one awesome teacher/VP. In this case Jennifer Garner and Josh Duhamel play his parents, and although they aren't in the film much then have some really strong moments. As does Tony Hale, in a surprisingly great performance as Simon's vice principal. Simon's friend group includes Leah played by Katherine Langford, Abby played by Alexandra Shipp, and Nick played by Jorge Lendeborg Jr. None of them are well developed but they help to develop the story and give pretty good performances. The last notable name is Logan Miller who plays Martin, a peer of Simon's. Miller does good but Martin is a pain in the ass and at some points is just too annoying.
In terms of technical elements there is absolutely nothing special about this film. The cinematography is nothing to write home about and other than some decently clever editing from time to time this is made just like any basic teen movie. Where this film warrants the praise it has received is in its story and script. At first it seemed as though this film would just be basic with the only difference being that it centered around a homosexual, but the element of coming out actually gives this film pretty high stakes and an interesting story we don't see often. The film still follows basic tropes and is very predictable but the main character being gay and having to navigate life without people knowing his secret really adds to the film, and gives some very strong emotional moments. It also manages to do all this without being a movie just about being gay, it is at its core a strong coming of age story that just so happens to involve a man that is into other men. There are also some absolutely hilarious moments in this film, which are always much appreciated.
A lot of movies centering around homosexual relationships don't get seen as much as they should, such as Moonlight or Call me by Your Name, but I think this film being set in the modern day in a more common setting will allow people to more strongly relate to it. I don't think Love, Simon is nearly as impressive or powerful as those films, but is much more widely accessible and relatable, and I think a lot of people that have been through coming out will really enjoy it. This is one of the best teen coming of age/rom com films in recent memory and despite nothing special in terms of technical elements it is still a very enjoyable film.
Rating: 3.6/5
Written by Matt McKenzie
Nick Robinson plays the titular role of Simon. I'll be honest he was probably my biggest fear going into the movie because I've been pretty unimpressed with him thus far. I liked him a lot in the show Melissa and Joey, but his boring and awkward performance in Jurassic World was one of the worst parts of the movie. Luckily in this film he finds his stride and delivers some really good work. His awkward style fits the character really well and he surprisingly delivers some very strong emotional work in certain scenes. His narration is funny and he does a great job carrying the film. The supporting cast around Robinson is also pretty great. Every teen movie seems to have awesome parents and one awesome teacher/VP. In this case Jennifer Garner and Josh Duhamel play his parents, and although they aren't in the film much then have some really strong moments. As does Tony Hale, in a surprisingly great performance as Simon's vice principal. Simon's friend group includes Leah played by Katherine Langford, Abby played by Alexandra Shipp, and Nick played by Jorge Lendeborg Jr. None of them are well developed but they help to develop the story and give pretty good performances. The last notable name is Logan Miller who plays Martin, a peer of Simon's. Miller does good but Martin is a pain in the ass and at some points is just too annoying.
In terms of technical elements there is absolutely nothing special about this film. The cinematography is nothing to write home about and other than some decently clever editing from time to time this is made just like any basic teen movie. Where this film warrants the praise it has received is in its story and script. At first it seemed as though this film would just be basic with the only difference being that it centered around a homosexual, but the element of coming out actually gives this film pretty high stakes and an interesting story we don't see often. The film still follows basic tropes and is very predictable but the main character being gay and having to navigate life without people knowing his secret really adds to the film, and gives some very strong emotional moments. It also manages to do all this without being a movie just about being gay, it is at its core a strong coming of age story that just so happens to involve a man that is into other men. There are also some absolutely hilarious moments in this film, which are always much appreciated.
A lot of movies centering around homosexual relationships don't get seen as much as they should, such as Moonlight or Call me by Your Name, but I think this film being set in the modern day in a more common setting will allow people to more strongly relate to it. I don't think Love, Simon is nearly as impressive or powerful as those films, but is much more widely accessible and relatable, and I think a lot of people that have been through coming out will really enjoy it. This is one of the best teen coming of age/rom com films in recent memory and despite nothing special in terms of technical elements it is still a very enjoyable film.
Rating: 3.6/5
Written by Matt McKenzie
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