There are very few false notes or plot beats in “Love, Simon” that feel contrived – it all feels genuine and heartfelt, and that’s a big part of what makes the film so compelling. With all those balls in the air, it’s remarkable that the film stays as focused and consistent in tone and characterization as it does. This is a film about high schoolers, after all, and so there has to be more than just one drama in play, and what adds to the film’s charm is just how well it balances the two major dramatic questions – who is Blue and how will Simon “come out”-as well as subplots involving other characters. It’s important to note, however, that there’s more going on here than just the romance of their correspondence. The Homo Sapien’s Agenda” by screenwriters Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker (TV’s “This is Us”), “Love, Simon” preserves the narrative feel of a young adult novel by prioritizing Simon and Blue’s narrative voices via the emails to guide the film’s tone, humor, and romantic tension. Keeping it “real”Īdapted for the screen from the award-winning 2012 young adult novel “Simon vs. But it’s all jeopardized when his emails to Blue fall into opportunistic hands, and Simon has to scramble not just to protect his own secret, but also his chances for happiness with someone else. As they continue to write each other, it becomes clear their connection goes beyond their mutual apprehension about coming out to the world, and Simon soon finds himself consumed with curiosity about Blue’s true identity.įinding “Blue” boosts Simon’s confidence to the point where he begins to hope he can finally be truthful with everyone, as well as finally be with someone and fall in love. Things begin to change, however, when he begins corresponding via email with “Blue,” another student at his school who also hasn’t “come out” yet. He’s known for a while, but he’s never done anything about it, because he has no idea how to broach the subject with those he’s closest to, much less the world at large. Simon’s got a great family, a tight-knit group of friends, and he’s generally liked at school, but he’s got a secret from them all – he’s gay. They go to school, hang out with friends, take part in after-school activities and spend lots of time on their phones or online. Nick Robinson (“Jurassic World”, “The 5th Wave”) plays Simon Spier, a bright, even-keeled 17-year-old doing what most suburban 17-year-olds do day in and day out. In short, there’s a lot to like here, and much of it springs from the voice of the titular character. ![]() ![]() It’s sweet without ever becoming saccharine, funny without ever resorting to broad comedy or parody, and inspiring without ever beating you over the head with a slogan or message. However, “Love, Simon” is so much more than just a “first in its genre” film. Yes, it’s a romantic high school drama with a gay male character as the lead, and that’s big, because it simply hasn’t been done in feature films. Powered by a terrific script and brought to life by a charming and winsome ensemble cast, “Love, Simon” is already one of 2018’s most memorable films, but not for the reasons on the surface.
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