Few movies led by gay characters have made it to the big screen. Even less have been backed by major production companies. Fewer still have centered around teenagers in a positive, hopeful light.
“Love, Simon” is based on Becky Albertalli’s bestselling young adult novel, “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.” The film, and book, revolves around Simon Spier, a closeted gay teen in Georgia, who begins a relationship with another closeted boy who attends his school. They communicate solely over email, so neither one knows the identity of the other. When Simon is blackmailed by a classmate who knows his secret, he’ll do anything to keep his truth and the identity of his email crush, or Blue, as he knows him, from coming out.
Oftentimes, adaptations can feel a little bit off, like the story should’ve stayed a novel in the first place, but this is absolutely not the case with “Love, Simon.” The movie delivers on precisely what the trailer promised: an amusing, smile-inducing, heartfelt, and, at some times messy, love story.
It’s impossible to not root for Simon through all of his trials and tribulations. Between being blackmailed and struggling with his own secrets, Simon’s stress and pain is visible to viewers, as is his happiness.
The jokes and fun he shares with his friends is infectious. Humor during funny, or sometimes humiliating moments makes it difficult for anyone to sit through the entire movie without cracking a smile at least once or twice. With a soundtrack that was uplifting and hopeful, the audience can experience every emotion that the on-screen characters do.
These characters were well-developed and each played a distinct role in Simon’s life, whether they be his parents, friends, or even his enemies. Simon’s interactions with Blue are honest and entertaining, despite the latter’s lack of appearance for the majority of the film. The two become comfortable places for each other to land, when the outside world and the weight of their secrets becomes too much. It’s difficult to describe this love story as anything other than romantic, making it easy for a viewer to fall in love with Simon and Blue as they’re falling for each other.
The portrayal of Blue throughout the story keeps the audience guessing as to what his identity is until the very end, with a closing that could satisfy even the pickiest of critics. The plot flows smoothly and naturally, and while the movie differs from the book in a few key scenes, the core message of the story shines through in both.
Though the movie remains light-hearted for the most part, it does well in showing the dangers and negative aspects of coming out, even in 2018. It doesn’t focus much on these worries, but acknowledges them as a part of the struggle for LGBTQ+ people in this time period.
The impact of “Love, Simon” is difficult to measure, but most fans can agree that the film is somewhat groundbreaking. Representation can be rare for members of the LGBTQ+ community and some viewers hope a movie like this one can serve as a message to Hollywood: that these stories are wanted, and needed. Not only to give validation to LGBTQ+ teens, but to serve as a bridge between them, and the rest of society.
Jordyn Dees // Co-Opinion Editor and Business Manager
