Love, friendship, struggle, heartbreak, and anger. These are five words that come to mind when thinking about the newly released movie, Love, Simon. Love, Simon follows the story of a 17-year-old boy with a massive secret; Simon is gay, but he has not told his friends or family yet. The movie follows Simon as he struggles to define who he is, how he presents himself, and how he manages his life and relationships when it seems like his world has been turned upside down.

Love, Simon was quite the emotional rollercoaster, and was executed beautifully. The acting was great, with impressive performances from new faces such as Nick Robinson (Simon) and Keiynan Lonsdale (Bramm), as well as some familiar faces, like Katherine Langford (Leah). Some of the most heartwarming and emotional performances were from Jennifer Garner and Josh Duhamel, who play Simon’s parents. Their family dynamic was one of the highlights of the movie for me, and it developed beautifully throughout the film. The relationships in the movie can be confusing, but all the actors were able to convey their storylines effectively and keep me entertained for the whole movie. The plot of the film is complex, yet fairly easy to follow, and even easier to become invested in. There are twists, turns, surprises, and lots of emotions all packed into two hours.

To many people, Love, Simon may seem like a stereotypical teen movie, but it is so much more than that. It is a glimpse into the struggles the LGBTQ community members endure on a daily basis, especially in high school. It shows the judgements students pass on one another and the hurt those judgements can cause. An interesting aspect of the film was that it showed how social media can both hurt people and bring them together.

Social media makes and breaks many relationships throughout the film, and it is a key factor in the decisions that characters make in the movie. Peer pressure and its effects are shown as well, demonstrating how societal norms, as well as the actions of others, have the power to change people’s lives for better or for worse.

The movie is based off of the book Simon vs. the Homosapien Agenda, by Becky Albertalli. I did not read the book prior to seeing the movie, but I was able to follow the plot easily. Now that I have seen this movie, I am even more inclined to read the book. I give Love, Simon a well earned five out of five stars. Love, Simon is without a doubt one of the most important movies I have ever seen. It breaks down walls and smashes stereotypes. It shows the good and the bad of the high school experience for LGBTQ students, and its message of hope, love, and support will resonate with audiences of all kinds. Hopefully this movie will spark conversations, give LGBTQ people courage to embrace who they are, and help spread a message of tolerance and understanding.

Nicole Hassenstab

A&E Writer