Love, Simon * * *
I am glad this film exists and that it is being widely distributed, but I am quite perplexed by claims that it is ground-breaking. Some reviews have called it the first film dealing with Gay-ness and ask why have we had to wait so long. (Sheeeeezz!!!! and I thought I was a dumb and uninformed reviewer!)
It's your typical Teen High School drama where the "teenagers" look mature beyond their years, where they seem to live a life style that is almost adult in it's freedom, financial ability and confidence. Where we have to believe their parents are "everyday" suburban folks but they live in houses that would be worth a least three million dollars and in neighborhoods of beautiful tree lined streets.
In voice over Simon tells us from the start he is gay. He has a collection of three very loyal friends and more on the fringe, but no one knows his secret. One day on the school forum website, an anonymous student steps forward and talks about being gay and frightened to come out. Simon starts communicating with him and builds an online "love affair" with him.
The school creep catches on and commences blackmailing Simon, but he doesn't want money, he wants Simon to help him get closer to a girl that Simon knows.
Love, Simon wants to walk a fine line between a bouncy teen-drama and an important issue, and in the main it succeeds. Though, funnily enough, coming out to his parents is dealt with easily and quickly which is unsurprising given the warmth and support of his family, but for some gay kids this would be the hardest step I should imagine.
Anyway, I'm glad it's out (pun intended), but I just don't understand the fuss about it. I really hope this nonsense about it's originality goes away. "Original" these days seems to mean nicely copied, and this is indebted to John Hughes in no small way, complete with quirky school Vice Principal.
As far as suburban teen-angst it doesn't compare with Lady Bird or The Edge of Seventeen, and as for dealing with "coming out" this thing pales compared to First Girl I Loved.
Love, Simon is welcome, and it's healthy to have a gay-love story in the multiplexes presented as a normal teen film, but stop pinning all these undeserved medals on it please!
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| Gay boy with every blessing life can give |
In voice over Simon tells us from the start he is gay. He has a collection of three very loyal friends and more on the fringe, but no one knows his secret. One day on the school forum website, an anonymous student steps forward and talks about being gay and frightened to come out. Simon starts communicating with him and builds an online "love affair" with him.
The school creep catches on and commences blackmailing Simon, but he doesn't want money, he wants Simon to help him get closer to a girl that Simon knows.
Love, Simon wants to walk a fine line between a bouncy teen-drama and an important issue, and in the main it succeeds. Though, funnily enough, coming out to his parents is dealt with easily and quickly which is unsurprising given the warmth and support of his family, but for some gay kids this would be the hardest step I should imagine.
Anyway, I'm glad it's out (pun intended), but I just don't understand the fuss about it. I really hope this nonsense about it's originality goes away. "Original" these days seems to mean nicely copied, and this is indebted to John Hughes in no small way, complete with quirky school Vice Principal.
As far as suburban teen-angst it doesn't compare with Lady Bird or The Edge of Seventeen, and as for dealing with "coming out" this thing pales compared to First Girl I Loved.
Love, Simon is welcome, and it's healthy to have a gay-love story in the multiplexes presented as a normal teen film, but stop pinning all these undeserved medals on it please!
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