Coming-of-age comedies seem to be a pretty solid formula for success in Hollywood. There have been plenty throughout the years but high quality isn’t guaranteed. That’s exactly why the memorable ones have lasting power. As the genre has become more refined over the past few decades, the universal truths seem to speak more loudly. Just last year saw Greta Gerwig’s Ladybird and Luca Guadagnino’s Call My by Your Name nominated for Best Picture, and deservedly so. Love, Simon may not wind up in the same conversation as the other two films, but it’s refreshingly enjoyable and probably more accessible to a larger audience.
Greg Berlanti is a busy man, and between guiding the DC Comics television universe, executive producing for CBS and writing new pilots for the CW network, he still found the time to direct one 2018’s better films so far. With plenty of experience in the young-adult/teenage genre, this was right in his wheelhouse tonally. Much of the movie is somewhat cliche and predictable because it felt familiar, just this time around the main character is gay. Aside from that, there really isn’t much difference between this and any other coming-of-age flick that uses comedy to tell a heartfelt story, often centering around a romance. One the one hand, it’s not groundbreaking stuff in terms of filmmaking. On the other, cultivating a sense of normalcy in regards to the life experiences of young gay individuals seems be exactly what the project was aimed at, so in that sense it’s remarkably successful. Obviously this movie is going to resonate more strongly with those who have gone through similar experiences in their own lives, but there is a strong message about being true to yourself, regardless of sexual orientation, that anyone should be able to relate to. Berlanti’s experience as a creator was evident, understanding that a good foundation is built with a good sense of humor, a lot of heart and a character worthy of the audience’s time.
The success of this film wasn’t necessarily going to hinge on Nick Robinson as Simon, but he gave a strong performance as the lead. He’s got a good sense of timing which helped the humorous moments but it was his brooding intensity that truly lent itself to the character. Hiding a significant secret is tough at any stage of life, but doing so during high school is especially difficult. Not just because of the fear of judgment, but because of the emotional toll that goes along with it. Robinson captured that element well and helped bring to life a sympathetic character who was worth cheering for. Lead characters who are really inspiring are too often few and far between but, refreshingly, that isn’t the case here. While the story is unquestionably about Simon and his individual journey, it was unfortunate that all the other characters were so generic and hollow, despite their diversity.
Becky Albertalli’s book, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, was adapted for the screen by Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker. The pair is familiar with one another having both written for numerous television shows, including the wildly popular This is Us. While Simon was a thought out, well written character for the big screen, the same can’t be said for the majority of the supporting characters who would feel much more at home on a TV show like Dawson’s Creek. From the completely cartoonish pair of bullies to the mysterious new girl who’s the object of everyone’s affection, the supporting characters are mostly tired and uninspired cliches. The script itself has a pretty strong sense of humor and maintains a great deal of heart which drives the film, but Simon’s close group of friends left much to be desired. Katherine Langford, Alexandra Shipp, and Jorge Lendeborg Jr. were pretty good considering their characters’ lack of depth, but something was definitely missing. In the end it was Logan Miller as Martin, the primary antagonist, who got to display a much wider range thanks to a more layered character. I wouldn’t say the screenplay was bad, but it felt like there was potential for more and they settled for good enough.
Given the nature of the movie, Simon’s decision to come out to his parents was inevitably going to be a big deal, but his relationships with his parents were somewhat limited overall too. Jennifer Garner has a maternal warmth that’s served her well in recent years, and that kindness goes a long way as Simon’s mom Emily. Opposite Garner, Josh Duhamel was surprisingly good as Simon’s dad Jack. Emotionally, both of them provided that injection of love and understanding, but the on-screen parenting lacked significant depth. While the family picture is mostly one of broad strokes as well, the overall picture is still well painted.
Music played a subtle but important role in identify the character, and Season Kent did a really nice job as music supervisor. The soundtrack has a nice blend of original music from Bleachers and Jack Antonoff to go along with classic titles like Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) and Someday at Christmas by the Jackson 5. A strong soundtrack has a way of giving identity to a project. This isn’t a case of the soundtrack overshadowing the film, but it’s certainly a complementary addition.
In a world that’s become increasingly cynical, it’s a breath of fresh air to see a movie that’s so wonderfully optimistic…especially since going to the movies is a form of escapism. Look, at the end of the day, Love, Simon is a good film, not a great one. However, there is far more to like about it than there is to dislike and if you’re willing to give it a chance, you might just enjoy yourself too.
Recommendation: Go see it if you’re looking for an alternative to the action fodder that’s available in theaters right now. It has both humor and heart. Those of us who grew up in (or around) the 80s will feel a sense of nostalgia with this film as it’s very reminiscent of John Hughes movies of the time. This can serve as both a date movie and a family friendly film, without any crude language, violence, or undue sexuality. Ultimately, it’s a story about love and that should be something that everyone can hopefully relate to.
Grade: C+