What a great little film. This was like a John Hughes classic from the 1970s, updated for our era of cell phones and Facebook, featuring a coming out plot that’s worthy of the premise.
The actors, the soundtrack, the goofy high school hijinks and wonderfully iconic scenes…it added up to a fantastic nostalgia trip that today’s young people can relate to and call their own. Great humor and pathos. I felt for Simon’s predicament, even though — be real — who hasn’t had intense teen emo experiences? As Simon’s friends properly point out, he’s not the only one dealing with confusing, painful problems. [pullquote]This is ultimately not about sexual orientation, but alienation of all kinds.[/pullquote]
These kids come from privilege (each home is a mansion), but tolerance knows no income, color, gender, or sexual orientation. Race is (mostly) a non-issue in the narrative, focusing mainly on Simon’s angst. And if you’re wondering, there’s no teen sex in this movie; kissing scenes are as far as things go.
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Thankfully, the coming out story isn’t a suicide scenario. Simon’s family and friends are smart, thoughtful people. I say this so you don’t worry about coming home from the theater in tears. Remember — it’s a light John Hughes-type flick. Hughes wanted you to laugh, fret a little, and feel positive in the end. Mission accomplished.
Don’t look for a lot of depth. Still, Love, Simon is the best film I’ve seen so far in 2018.
Grade: A
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Co-Creator of RunPee, Chief of Operations, Content Director, and Managing Editor. RunPee Jilly likes galaxy-spanning sci fi, superhero sagas, fantasy films, YA dystopians, action thrillers, chick flicks, and zany comedies, in that order…and possesses an inspiringly small bladder. In fact, that little bladder sparked the creation of RunPee. (Good thing she’s learned to hold it.)