Directed by Greg Berlanti, creator of “Supergirl,” “Arrow,” “The Flash” and “Riverdale,” and written by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, the showrunners of "This Is Us” and writers of series like “Zack Stone is Gonna Be Famous,” "Love, Simon" is the first major studio teen rom-com with a gay central character. From that statement alone, the film is important, but can it deliver a satisfying love story in addition to its historic nature?
Immediately deviating from the typical rom-com clichés, “Love, Simon” has an incredibly smart script. The lines fly fast with sharp wit. This isn't the typical PG Plus that most teen rom-coms go for. “Simon” is a fierce film with a lot to say and a very specific way to say it. It also maintains a warmth like “This Is Us” while also still maintaining its sass and bite.
This sharp wit doesn’t prevent the film from bringing the emotion though, and the entire cast is excellent when it comes to their own individual emotional scenes. Nick Robinson is absolutely wonderful as the titular Simon, bringing the stressed mentality one would expect of someone in his situation, but he still manages to be a regular teen, without turning the film into a “woe is me” story for two hours.
His supporting cast of friends is great as well, from the best friends Leah (Katherine Langford, “Thirteen Reasons Why”) and Nick (Jorge Lendeborg Jr., “Spider Man: Homecoming”) to the scene-stealing Alexandra Shipp (“Straight Outta Compton”) as Abby or the even more incredible Natasha Rothwell and Tony Hale as Simon’s drama teacher and vice principal, respectively.
Josh Duhamel and Jennifer Garner also bring their A-game as Simon’s parents. Their few scenes with him resonate as the emotion builds through the depth of love and confrontation that most Hollywood rom-coms would be afraid to dip into. Not because of the overwhelming emotion, but because of the sincerity.
Even as the movie retraces some of the typical teen movie situations with “the party,” “the awkward date,” “the theatre show,” and “the football game,” it never feels tiring or clichéd, because of these characters who are so much fun to watch and that the audience legitimately cares about.
Greg Berlanti seems almost determined to avoid as many rom-com clichés as humanly possible, and he absolutely succeeds. The film never feels overstuffed, thanks to a great balance of Simon’s real life and some flashbacks and fantasy scenes. The musical selection feels authentically modern and yet nostalgic all at the same time.
Really, the movie’s biggest strength is its authenticity. Regardless of someone’s high school experience or if they’re gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, there’s something to relate to in Simon’s quest. Because it boils down to wanting to be accepted, and that’s what high school is all about, after all.
It never alienates anyone, even the antagonist is given a chance for redemption, and when the conclusion rolls around, everything feels warm and sweet.
“Love, Simon” balances some wonderfully witty writing and direction with a lovable cast of well-developed characters and a great sense of authenticity to bring Simon’s story into the realm of the sublime. Nick Robinson’s emotionally performance helps to round out a film that is without a doubt one of the most charming, emotionally effective teen rom-coms ever made. It’s virtually impossible not to "Love, Simon." 4.5/5
Photo Courtesy of 20th Century Fox, Temple Hill Productions, and Fox 2000 Pictures.