Jordan Vallejo

Online Editor

Love, Simon is the most nerve-racking movie experience I have ever gone through.

Every word was a stutter as I told the ticket clerk what movie I wanted to see. My hands were shaky as I handed the movie passes to the usher, and I quickly took my seat in the theater to make sure no one in the room saw my face.

The reason I was so nervous to see this movie was because I could relate to Simon, the protagonist of the film, and I had a huge secret that I didn’t want people to know.

Simon, played by Nick Robinson, describes himself as an ordinary high school student with a life that is seemingly normal. He has a strong family life with both parents and a little sister that he actually likes.

He has a solid group of friends that he drinks a crap load of iced coffee with and watches his school’s soccer and football games with. He’s even doing well in school and has a close relationship with his vice principal.

The only problem in his life is that he has one huge secret: Nobody knows that he’s gay. When another boy anonymously comes out on his school’s social media page, Simon makes a new friend, “Blue,” that gives him the courage to talk about his secret.

Throughout the film, viewers see how Simon deals with this secret on a daily basis, how it affects the relationships he has with his friends and family, and if he will ever discover the identity of “Blue.”

Love, Simon tackles the raw emotion of coming out in a powerful way. You see the ups and downs of his dilemma in a way that is not only accurate, but also relatable.

The film addresses the issues of how sexuality coincides with friend and familial relationships, self-
image, religion, and school life.

It manages the difficulties of being outed, while also discovering one’s true identity. The fact that it can cover so many important topics in less than two hours is incredible.

The performances by Katherine Langford and Jennifer Garner, Simon’s best friend Leah and Simon’s mother respectively, are just short of perfection.

They provide some of the most impactful interactions between the protagonist of the film that tug at the heartstrings and send you on a ferris wheel of emotions.

Logan Miller, as Martin, also serves as a strong adversary to Simon, and does a great job of illustrating the challenges associated with being outed.

At its core, Love, Simon is not just a movie associated with sadness and heartbreak. More important, it provides the feelings of triumph, perseverance, acceptance, and love.

It brings light-hearted comedy and dramatic romance together to create the first LGBT teen-themed major motion picture by 20th Century FOX.

In that regard alone, it is a landmark for those who don’t have representation on the big screen. At its finest, Love, Simon is a showing for the whole family to enjoy.

Gay or straight, you will enjoy this movie: My brother can vouch for me and says it’s a great movie too. I guess by writing this, I’m not so nervous about my huge secret anymore.