Love, Simon

According to Stonewall, a gay rights group, the average age at which people come out as gay, lesbian, or bisexual has fallen steadily over the last few decades; a recent poll performed by this group revealed that the average age for individuals in their 60s when they came out was 37, 21, for those in their 30s, and 17 for those aged 18 - 24.This is optimistic in that this reveals a pattern of people having the confidence (and, not to mention, less socially acceptable threats to their safety on average) to come out earlier in their lives.And, yet, we still have a bit of a ways to go. . . .When focusing on the adolescent experience it is easy to fall into the trap of integrating clichés to make a point; the misery and angst during this developmental period Is often one of the crippling hallmarks of it. It is because of this among many reasons that ‘Love, Simon’ has managed to catapult itself into the crevices of my heart so easily. ‘Love, Simon’ doesn't depend on endless helpings of self deprivation to act as a vehicle for its humor, nor does it entertain dynamics ( like the one where the primary characters has an ongoing vendetta against their family) that so often saturate films in the coming of age category.A fluidity of emotions when handling sensitive subject matter is essential - if not maneuvered with care audience members can be turned into an empathetic carcass after an onslaught of contrivity. I knew firsthand that Simon would naturally appeal to me emotionally ( I do have experience with questioning my sexuality in the past), but I wasn't expecting the feelings to flow so seamlessly and without much turbulence or needless complication. ‘Love Simon’ Hit all the notes that it should without overstaying it's well - the smiles, the tears, the anger, and the potential heartbreak - in graciously makes these feelings exit stage left when the timing is right to do so.(Side note to those complaining but this film was too constrained or was rather juvenile in its optimistic indulgence: were you not paying attention when Simon says everyone deserves a happy ending? I digress)Inspired by a novel titled Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, this adaptation Straight away from the passive nature in which Simon and ‘Blue’ communicate over the course of this story. To put it clearly, Simon is originally written as reaching out to ‘Blue’ less directly ( he comments on a post ‘Blue’ has made anonymously inviting him to message him), whereas in this film direct communication via email begins between these two parties almost immediately. It only follows that this film does more to engage with audience members in that it alludes to many possibilities when coming to terms with or guessing who ‘Blue’ might be (which, is easily illustrated with this medium as opposed to a novel being told from the first-person point of view). Berlanti’s Vision doesn't get everything exactly right for those that are sticklers for accuracy,, but he turns Simon into someone that is assertive and as someone that can be a good role model for his target audience(P.S. and fun fact: The Jewish heritage stuff in this film isn’t completely random although it might seem out of place.. There is a character in the novel that this pertains to despite not being the exact same one)Ultimately, did this film affect me as much as it does others?No. It didn't. Not in the slightest.But this film wasn’t written for me.I mentioned earlier that I've experienced point of confusion as it relates to my sexual orientation in the past, but I can confidently say that in retrospect that my hesitancy to come out (as bisexual) has had nothing to do with the people in my support system - and I wish I could say the same for everyone else out there.‘Love, Simon’ thoughtfully and reflectively squeezes in moments that touch on stigmatizing behavior that is simmering or stained with homophobia - like a brief one in which Simon's dad call someone “so fruity” - and doesn't weigh itself down with drama or dark subject matter (like graphic violence) that people in the LGBTQ+ community are practically 𝒓𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 to remain cognizant of as a means of protecting themselves from a world that can be so cruel, so unforgiving, and quick to ostracize Beyond repair. It refuses to dance around issues that can be related to serious safety matters ( like the idea that coming out should be done willingly and autonomously on someone's own terms), and encourages its viewers to be the best (and most authentic) versions of themselves they can beFar from flawless? Sure.But this is one of the first films to come out of Hollywood that features a gay teenage protagonist -And with that I will say that we have a bit of a ways to go. . . .(I would recommend)

It's not every day where we get a big-studio film focused on an LGBTQ+ teenager that appeals to a large audience. Sure, there was last year's Call Me By Your Name and 2016's Moonlight, but those are more geared towards avid movie watchers (both are 5-star movies). So, with Love, Simon, we get a good look at what it's like to be a gay teenager in 2018 and the struggles of sexuality. Last year -- I believe around Thanksgiving or Christmas -- I saw a trailer for a movie called Love, Simon. I'm kind of a big Nick Robinson fan, so I obviously clicked on it. The next three minutes had me completely captivated and nearly had me in tears. Upon hearing it was being adapted from a book (Simon vs. The Homo-Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli), I immediately ordered it. Normally, it takes me a few sittings to finish a book, but this one only took me two sittings. The first sitting I got through about 45 pages, and then the second sitting -- which occurred after a LONG day at work -- I finished the rest of the book. By the time I finished the book, I didn't even realize I had spent three hours reading. So, the day the movie opened, I was completely jealous of all my friends who were going to see it on the last day of exams. Knowing my family, I would have to wait for it to come out on Blu-ray. But I guess luck was on my side because while I was sulking in my room out of frustration, my mom knocked on my door. The words that came out of her mouth excited me. She basically asked if my little brother and I wanted to go see Love, Simon while she and my step-dad went to see The Strangers: Prey at Night, which I had already seen at the theaters. So at 6 pm, I was giddy with excitement as the title card came up on the screen. Before I knew it, the movie was over. Going through the Blu-ray, I discovered the movie is actually 105 minutes, though it really feels like 30. This movie goes along so swiftly and perfectly that there isn't a single moment that I felt could have been thrown out. Everything that was in the film was in it for a reason. I thought that even though it went off-book a few times (I'm one of those annoying people that point out the differences between the book and the movie in my mind), it was a perfect film. No movie had ever made me cry before. No movie had made me feel so much emotion as I did watching Love, Simon. It perfectly depicts the struggles of coming to terms with sexuality and the internal struggle of who and where and how and why you come out. And the most amazing part of this movie is that it's incredibly relatable. Any LGBTQ+ teenager, not just the gays, and any non-LGBTQ+ teenager can go see this movie and have a blast. Why? Because the movie isn't centered around the fact that he's gay. It's an ordinary rom-com which happens to have a gay lead. And the fact that this was released with relatively little negativity is astounding to me. Every one of my friends who have gone to see this movie has told me that they absolutely loved it. And you should watch it, too. I guarantee you will love this movie.

I am a 57 year old man and adore the film Love, Simon. It is indeed a film about a high school guy struggling with being gay and how to come out. This is not the first gay romance film of its kind. There have been many coming of age gay films usually in the foreign film market. But within the typical US rom-com market this is indeed a first. And what I love and admire about this film is that yes indeed the main character is gay but he is not struggling with that fact. He seems fine with that. Instead it is how life will change when those close to him find out. The film follows his emotional journey very realistically and what we get along the way is a film with deep characterizations of all the other characters. Everyone from Alex to his best friend, his parents, his sister and even the films protagonist are fully developed and on their own journeys of self discovery. Bottom line this film is about acceptance for everyone which is what the world needs right now. The story is beautifully told and pulls the viewer in. I loved it so much I had to buy it and must add the blu ray brings it to life with a vivid and beautiful video presentation and audio exemplary that uses the music to full effect.For any lgbtq teens out there this film will indeed make them feel less alone. But seriously this film is about life and whatever your age, whatever you may be dealing with this is a feel good film that shows we all can be ourselves. Nick Robinson gives an amazing performance as Simon that indeed holds this whole film together. Not just for teens but for everyone - not just for gay but for everyone - I highly recommend this film.