‘Love, Simon’ Review: Teen Movie Breaks Down Walls, Builds Up Confidence

The cinematic world has finally been making its grand return to the teen market, with 2018 filled with YA films like the upcoming Greg Berlanti-directed “Love, Simon.” With that, comes the return of the teen movie all-stars and heartthrobs. This latest movie in that category for Nick Robinson, after “Everything, Everything” and “The 5th Wave,” has officially solidified his role as both of those.

All three movies were Young Adult book-to-movie adaptations, but all three were very different. “The 5th Wave” was a sci-fi flick, “Everything, Everything” was a straight love story with a twist and now “Love, Simon” is a rom-com featuring a gay lead character.

In this new film, adapted from Becky Albertalli’s novel “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” by Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker, 17-year-old Simon Spier (Robinson) is living a complicated life. He’s gay, but he hasn’t told anyone yet because he’s not ready for everyone to see him differently. He’s not ready to leave “old Simon” behind. The only person he’s told is an online pen pal, Blue.

The two don’t know who the other is, with Blue not being his real name and Simon going by the moniker Jacques. As the boys get closer through the constant exchanging of personal emails, Simon begins to fall in love with this mysterious boy. Unfortunately, his classmate Martin (Logan Miller) finds out about the emails, screenshots them and decides to blackmail Simon into helping him get Abby (Alexandra Shipp), Simon’s friend, to like him.

Not wanting to lose Blue, Simon agrees to it all, but things get even more complicated when Simon’s friend Nick (Jorge Lendeborg Jr.) wants to ask out Abby and his other friend Leah (Katherine Langford) seemingly likes Nick. It’s all the drama one would expect in a teen movie, but in an exceptionally fun and unique way.

Throw in that Simon’s trying to figure out who Blue is, whether it’s Nick’s soccer friend Bram (Keiynan Lonsdale), the stage manager for the school play Cal (Miles Heizer), the Waffle House waiter Lyle (Joey Pollari), or someone completely different, and the senior student has a lot on his plate.

Despite all the drama, the blackmail, the school bullying, the internal battles and external struggles, “Love, Simon” never wavers in its ability to be a light-hearted yet thought-provoking and much-needed film for not just today’s teens, but all audiences. It shows the everyday issues Simon faces, with the additional feat of feeling like he has to “come out” to everyone, while his heterosexual friends don’t.

Robinson portrays the lead in the same manner that he has all of his past projects and that’s with honesty and believability. There’s a reason he’s continuously cast in teen films, no matter the differing subcategories, and that’s because he’s easily able to adapt his sincerity for each role. He ensures each character is someone you’ll not only champion, but want to find a way to help.

Turns out, his character in this film didn’t need any help. He was more than strong enough to find his way through. With, of course, a little help along the way from his friends, his family - mom Emily (Jennifer Garner), dad Jack (Josh Duhamel) and sister Nora (Talitha Bateman) - and the hilarious, major breakout characters of the film that go above and beyond - Vice Principal Mr. Worth (Tony Hale), drama teacher Ms. Albright (Natasha Rothwell), and out student Ethan (Clark Moore).

While there are many aspects of high school that leave students unsure, the one thing that viewers can be sure of while watching this exceptional high school movie is that the last 10 minutes will leave a smile permanently plastered on your face. It won’t be forced, it’ll be an automatic response to the sweet sincerity of Simon and Blue, finally coming face-to-face. It’ll be from their smiles that’ll make you smile. It’ll be from the genuineness of their connection. No two better actors could’ve been chosen for these roles, as they both have that effortless sincerity and innocence to them that makes the viewer instantly fall in love. With both of them together - as in one movie and as in an item - it’s almost too much to handle. Almost.

Check out “Love, Simon” when it comes out in theaters on March 16.