Last Friday I got to attend a private screening of the critically acclaimed Love, Simon, featuring Nick Robinson, Jennifer Garner and Josh Duhamel. I didn’t know much about the film except that it was about a gay teenager named Simon and a story of him “coming out” to the world about his sexual orientation.
I studied film and gender studies in college so this was an exciting opportunity to witness how a mainstream film deals with such delicate topics of homosexuality, adolescence and family. I went in with zero expectation and left the screening deeply moved and impacted by this wonderfully made film.
While Love, Simon is clearly a coming-of-age romance film about a gay teenager, it contains themes, stories and emotions that anyone can relate to regardless of one’s culture, gender and sexual orientation.
While Love, Simon is clearly a coming-of-age romance film about a gay teenager, it contains themes, stories and emotions that anyone can relate to regardless of one’s culture, gender and sexual orientation.
The characters are interesting and complex, the plot is relatable to anyone who has been in high school and the entire movie elicits so many nostalgic memories for the audience- memories of one’s teenage years, complex high school relationships and finding true love.
Love, Simon
Love, Simon is a coming-of-age drama about a gay high school student named Simon. He is from a loving family and has a good group of friends. Everything is happy and normal, except that he’s harboring a big secret that he can’t tell anyone except a stranger online, another student from his school.
Once he begins his secret email exchange with this mystery guy, his life begins to change. Without going into too much detail, Simon struggles with his identity as a person, friend, son, brother and gay man as he navigates his complex identity as a 17 year old.
What fascinates me about this film is that anyone can resonate with Simon’s story whether or not you are gay. I fell in love with Simon’s character and resonated with his problems so deeply that I found myself in tears many times throughout the film.
I also loved meeting the characters in real life at the press junket, during which both Jennifer Garner and Josh Duhamel expressed their support for the gay community. They both agreed that they would be loving and supportive if their own children came out as gay and that following their true passions and happiness is most important.
It also made me think about my role as a parent in regards to tolerance and support for the gay community. How will I react if my child comes out as gay? Will I love and support my child any less? The answer of course is no- and I plan to teach my children the same values and ideals as they navigate their own gender identity in the future.
It also made me think about my role as a parent in regards to tolerance and support for the gay community. How will I react if my child comes out as gay? Will I love and support my child any less? The answer of course is no- and I plan to teach my children the same values and ideals as they navigate their own gender identity in the future.
Love, Simon is a movie about finding oneself, about facing the world as who you truly are, about stepping into your own truth- whatever that truth looks like. It encourages us to be bold, be strong and take our own power back. It also reminds us that the only way to live a fulfilling life is to stop running away from who we really are, because those who truly love us will support us no matter what.
Love, Simon is a movie about finding oneself, about facing the world as who you truly are, about stepping into your own truth- whatever that truth looks like. It encourages us to be bold, be strong and take our own power back. It also reminds us that the only way to live a fulfilling life is to stop running away from who we really are, because those who truly love us will support us no matter what.
Cast: Nick Robinson, Katherine Langford, Alexandra Shipp, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Miles Heizer, Keiynan Lonsdale, Logan Miller, Jennifer Garner, Josh Duhamel, Tony Hale / Rated PG-13
This is a must-see romance drama. Love, Simon comes to theaters on March 16. Get your tickets here !
For fans who’d like to see it sooner, you can catch the early screening this coming Saturday on March 10th and find the tickets here.
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Thank you for your review of the film. I saw an advertisement and it looked like it would be good but you never know from just an advertisement. Movies that are relate able are always good to see in the society we live in today. It gives us a peek into ourselves and those around us.
Yes so true. This movie was better than my expectation and made me think about my own teenage years. For that and other emotions it evoked it me, it was worthwhile. Plus the acting is fantastic!