Love, Simon (2018) User Reviews

I left the theater with a full heart

[WHBower · 9/10 · 10 March 2018]

I didn't think I would, but - I loved it.

The first 15 minutes or so, I cringed a few times, thinking it was going to be too clever, too cute, and too precious for its own good.

But even my cynical, hard-hearted self soon melted with the realization that the intelligence, depth, and charm were all legitimate and sincere.

I left the theater with a full heart and am confident "Love, Simon" will remain with me as one of my favorites of this new film year.

A lovely film, with an important message.

[studioAT · 7/10 · 5 April 2020]

Finally. A Hollywood studio producing a big LGBT romantic comedy.

Based on the YA book this film is really something special.

Not preachy, but heartfelt, this film deserves the hype and love from fans it has in turn earned.

Well worth a watch.

This movie is more important than you think

[pensacolacomputer · 10/10 · 15 March 2018]

I had to see this movie. It reminded me of...me. I had a lot of great friends in high school. I had girlfriends. But I had one huge ass secret. I was gay. I didn't have the strength to come out in high school, but God did I want to. I graduated in 93' so things are much different now, but still very scary to come out I'm sure. I am out now and my life has been different ever since. Better ever since. I did not lose a single friend when I came out. I gained a new family of friends. I encourage anyone younger, or older, that is not out to do so. BUT, only when you are ready. You'll know when the time is right.

This might just be one of the most important movies of the year. I believe there needs to be more movies like this. Being gay is HARD enough and kids commit suicide far too often dealing with it and other issues. Everyone deserves to love. Everyone deserves to be happy. Please go see this movie! Peace!

Amazing Adaptation

[amanda-552 · 10/10 · 18 March 2018]

Here are my thoughts about Love, Simon:

First, it was definitely the best movie adaptation of a book I've ever seen. Hands down. It was also an extremely authentic story to begin with, and it translated so well as a movie.

Second, I wish this movie had been around when I was younger. The message of love and acceptance was so powerful, and the way Simon and his friends were portrayed was amazing. Kudos to the actors. The whole theater was cheering, laughing, and crying with them.

Representation matters. Our kids need to see themselves on screen in movies like this.

I didn't want to go.

[db53tg66 · 10/10 · 16 March 2018]

I was afraid this would be so sticky sweet I'd end up in a sugar coma. I was pleased to be completely wrong. I identified with Simon (even though I finished high school in '84). The fear of losing your family and friends makes the secret you carry that much more of a burden. This movie helps us all find peace in ourselves and teach us to celebrate our unique traits. Put this down as a feel good classic that will endure. I'm happy I went.

Cute but... cheesy?

[roxana-ehsani · 6/10 · 29 May 2018]

As a lover of LGBT movies on someone who has experience the coming out process, I felt this movie was way too far fetched and slightly cringey. The ending was so unbelievable unrealistic and out there what I was hard pressed to keep watching. Especially having read the book and how smoothly the events unfolded in the written version, I feel like the film adaptation was not entirely believable, and mostly just cheesy.

That being said, I would still recommend people watch it as some might enjoy it. The protagonist was charming and cute as hell, and the whole thing was pretty uplifting.

Truly one of the best films of it's kind

[rivertam26 · 10/10 · 23 February 2020]

At this point I've seen this movie about 12 times and it's just amazing. Being a gay man myself I never thought I'd see a mainstream release like this in my lifetime. I remember the first couple times I saw this the film audience went bonkers clapping and I was just in tears. Yes I'm kind of a wuss but this story feels so personal to me and to see a realistic, positive representation still blows me away. Especially since the film was a modest hit and more films haven't been made. The movie centers on a young man named Simon played by an impressive Nick Robertson who's outed by a jerk off classmate and has to deal with the repacutions including the fellow student he's mysteriously been messaging with. It ranks up there with the best of John Hughes. Its genuine, heartfelt and engaging. Truly one of the best films of its kind ever made.

Fulfil the purpose

[CitizenKaneAAAAA · 6/10 · 14 June 2018]

Important, relatable, anti-stereotype and all, but also cheesy, corny, and too bubbly. but you really can't make a film in this form to avoid those things, so this film is really for audiences who would enjoy this life-assuring kind of film. with that being said, i still have teary eyed at some scenes because i can relate to it to some extent but also combined with some cringeness attack because of the dialogue and all. could it better? i think it could, but that would kill the purpose of the film, so i'm glad that the film was made this way, but it's still not my thing.

thank you. Thank You. THANK YOU!

[marco-polo-tomlinson · 10/10 · 21 March 2018]

I only have two words for this movie, and like above, it's Thank You!! i don't understand what this movie did to me, to my heart, to my life, but i can assure it was something amazing. the love story spoke directly to me and i honestly had no idea how much i needed this love story. it's not about finding yourself, it's about how to tell the world who you are. it's modern, it's timeless. which is why i tremendously related to this movie. most lgbt movies are about the struggles about coming out, not finding yourself, the negatives once you do find yourself and i loved and appreciated all those other movies but this was the first mainstream movie where he was comfortable with who he was he just needed a time and a place to tell the world his secret. hearing the entire sold-out audience in my missouri town explode into cheers, screams and clap made my heart warm up more than it has ever in any other movie. no complaints, this movie was perfect. i cannot wait to finally be able to buy it on itunes and watch it every night. the acting was a 10/10. the changes from the book all worked perfectly and made the story flow better. the high school atmosphere was spot on. again, thank you greg. thank you thank you thank you. i'm writing this on a tuesday right after getting home from my FIFTH viewing of this movie (once daily since the friday night release) i love you: love, simon.

Loved...the second half of the film

[2001ASOfan · 7/10 · 26 March 2018]

Wow...this was such a mixed experience for me. I frankly hated (no joke) roughly the first third to half of "Love, Simon," but, when more depth and consequences of actions are portrayed in the second half of the film I became engaged and loved it, up to and including the ending, which is as sweet and touching a conclusion as you hope for in a rom-com. I realize this is meant to be an homage to 80's teen films, so I tried to forgive the too-pat, flat, one-dimensional stereotypical characters frenetically surrounding the more grounded Simon (and there are far too many of them for you to have time to remember or care about), but the snarky, too-cool, and "clever" dialogue really got to me, and the film lost me for that first period. But then the consequences of Simon's selfish and, well, ultimately cruel actions toward his loving friends and family kicked in, and the resulting scenes swept me up and delivered me nicely to that sweet ending. I would likely watch this again, but with the awareness that I'd be enduring the first half (the equivalent of fingernails screeching on a blackboard) because it builds to a very satisfying second-half and conclusion. Worth viewing, but not the film I'd hoped it would be when I saw the clever and fun trailers for months prior to opening.

How Refreshing!

[womenarebetterthanmen · 8/10 · 4 March 2018]

Love, Simon is a very touching, heartwarming story about a relatable teenager with a big secret. This film is entirely relatable for anyone who has been in high school. Viewers don't need to share Simon's exact problems in order to enjoy this film. That's what makes it so special! The characters are all well-thought out and the story is very funny, interesting, and emotional. This is a film for everyone!

A Must Watch! You just have to!

[elparkeeto19 · 10/10 · 28 February 2018]

I had been looking forward to this movie for a long time and I was not disappointed in the slightest. It was funny, heartfelt, and honest. I've been a big fan of Nick Robinson since his days on Melissa and Joey, but this was easily his best performance! I think he's extremely underrated and I can't wait to see what else he does in the future! Josh Duhamel and Jennifer Garner were great too as his parents! I loved the way this family was portrayed and it really made the movie work for me. All the actors playing his friends did an excellent job and Tony Hale as the vice principal was hilarious!

This film did not pull any punches and really struck the audience with its message. Be who you are! I think this as great a message as any! Also, this film actually made me feel something. Too often we have these dry, emotionless comedies released that just want to get a few cheap laughs. This movie found a perfect balance of humor and emotion. It gives exactly what we all want - an actual story with real relatable characters!

I would recommend this film to anyone. I was super impressed and will likely be seeing it again.

Easy watch however nothing too special.

[calumgrieve · 6/10 · 19 March 2018]

Love Simon is a Drama Romace with a bit of comedy, directed by Greg Berlanti and is based from the bestselling book "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli. It stars Nick Robinson as Simon, Katherine Langford as Leah, Alexandra Shipp as Abby, Jorge Lendeborg Jr. as Nick and Logan Miller as Martin. It Premiers on the 16th March (USA) and releases on the 6th April in the uk.

Love Simon is about teen Simon coming out as gay and his struggles in doing so. We find out very early in the film that Simon is gay however he has told no-one, we see his frustration as a 'straight male' throughout the start of the film with his dads inappropriate jokes and his previous straight relationships. We see Simon living a 'nornal' teenagers life with his three best friends Leah, Abby and Nick. Near the start of the film we see the school social media group chat appear with a message from a boy who goes by 'Blue' telling us that he is gay but feel he cannot tell anyone. Simon is in a very similar position decides to anonymously email blue under the name jaque and they bond over their similarities as gay men who have never told anyone. however after a number of emails back and forth a less popular school kid Martin finds the emails and screenshots them. Hr continues to use these screenshots to blackmail Simon to help him get together with Abby. This makes simon make some really importand desicisions through out the film.

The positives

Love Simon is filmed with the best of intentions of helping others in real life who may be gay to come out as who they really are. It eventually shows the positives of coming out hoever shows the difficulties along the way. it also covers how unfair many are towards gay people and our poor social sytem of acceptance. The acting from Nick Robinson was outstanding and very believable while the rest of the cast performed well Natasha Rothwell stole the comedy aspect of the film being the only actress to really make me laugh with her fantastic delivery. The film is set in a stereotypical american school which i quite like as its somthin we can all relate to some way or another and gives for a easy to watch film. The film covers the relationships between Simon and his friends, this creqtes intence seens and conflict whoch is yet another hook on why to watch.

The negitives

Firstly for all the good jokes fron natasha bothwell there were plenty of typical simple american jokes such as the princeipal who kept making bad jokes which were unrealistic to be said in frofront pf students. Also the teo cahracters which were supposed to be the "bullies" werejust cringeworthey and had no real motive or even connection to Simon himself. The film also had the characters saying "what the f" instead of sweading which no one over the age of 12 says (the main character being in his late teens) even after that he starts tp swear later in the movie. So the reason for npt swaering at the start is beyond me and gave fpr a fake anrealistic feelling thrpught. Finally Nick was really inconsistent through out at first the funny happy guy half way throught the stupid gullible guy and at the end the over reacting seripus guy, i ouldent quite place him 2hich made him less relatable as a character.

Overall this film wasent bad at all and sent a really good message across the screen. However the undeveloped characters such as the bullies and Nick and the cringe amd bad american jokes has to be taken into condieration. I give "love, simon" a 6/10.

The gay movie I've been waiting for since forever!

[derand-89867 · 10/10 · 15 March 2018]

Have seen TWO special screenings of the movie and I absolutely loved it. It's just a great movie, and the subject matter happens to be gay. It appeals to a wide variety of ages, genders, and sexual orientations! And the cast of the movie is diverse as well! It's the gay movie I've been waiting for my whole life and I have so much love and appreciation for having seen it. Whether you're gay, straight, or in between, you will absolutely love this movie! <3

This is the movie we needed when my generation was growing up

[richarddillomes · 8/10 · 7 October 2019]

Helmed to be one of this generation's homage to John Hughes (well-curated soundtrack, romantic comedy in a high school setting), we're not exaggerating when we say this is the movie we needed when my generation was growing up.

Back in the day, I remember there was only one gay character on mainstream media: Jack McPhee from Dawson's Creek, a football player originally brought in to play a love triangle with Dawson and Joey. Eventually he broke TV grounds when he came out as gay and was the first featured ever male gay kiss on primetime television. This was back in the year 2000.

Going further back, the other gay character I had access to was Matt Fielding from Melrose Place in the early 90s. For a show that was all about gossip and scandals, surprisingly enough it relegated Matt in the background as the token gay character, way before the term was even conceived.

Fast forward to today and we have Love, Simon, a coming-of-age movie about Simon Spier, who is gay but is unable to come out for fear of being bullied and ridiculed and ends up exchanging anonymous messages with the other gay person in his school hiding under the name Blue. When a fellow student comes across their exchanges, Simon is forced further to remain in the closet when he is blackmailed to score the guy a date with one his girl friends (ah, don't you just miss high school life?)

Whether it was intentional that aside from the lead every one else (i.e. straight) was relegated to the background as supporting characters mostly because they didn't prolong some of the conflicts enough, making it seem like coming out is that easy. Sometimes it is, sometimes it can be messy. But the point is you'll never know until you try. And even if the movie didn't get it all right, it echoes what the lead Nick Robinson said in one his interviews, it's at least a conversation starter.

Maybe America is not that jaded after all...

[redross-75563 · 9/10 · 15 March 2018]

It's just a sweet coming of age story about a guy who happens to be gay. How refreshing to like all (or almost all) of the characters. No violence, gore, or really horrible people. Sure, it's an idealized version of reality, but sometimes we need a movie to escape into, as well as learn from. I would rate this 8.5 because there are a few moments that come off as less than perfect... but I rounded it up to a 9 because they took a huge risk: not about making a "gay" movie, but about making a positive, sweet, idealized one.

Coming Out

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 10 May 2018]

This is going to drive the fundamentalists crazy. Imagine a film where the central character is a gay teen coming to grips with his sexuality and his parents don't immediately rush him into conversion therapy. Nevertheless a kid like Nick Robinson still has a lot to deal with, who doesn't at that age. Fortunately he's got good friends and resources.

While debating when and how to come out, Robinson who probably set this person's gaydar on fire gets an e-mail from someone who says he's crushing out on him. Something way back when I was a latently gay teen myself I would never have dreamed of doing. Times have changed in over 50 years.

Anyway Robinson has a dual problem of finding out his secret admirer and just how and when to come out. From my decades of observing each coming out story is unique, each family dynamic is unique. No one can advise anyone on when and where to make the decision, they have to decide for themselves.

Anyway Robinson is a really likeable young actor and if you're going to have a first same sex love you could do far far worse.

I recommend this film highly, it should be seen by audiences everywhere.

If only

[ScottyAU · 9/10 · 21 April 2019]

Soppy and cliche as hell, absolutely. But some amazing lines that really got how it was growing up in similar circumstances. The 'exhale' part... wow.

All I can say is, I just wish movie producers had the guts to make this 20 years ago. Probably would have saved me a lot of heartache, suicidal thoughts, many dark thoughts and a chunk of my life.

an LGBT classic

[MOscarbradley · 9/10 · 19 April 2018]

A gay coming-out movie that is laugh-out-loud funny with a charm factor that goes all the way up to eleven, a star-making performance from its young lead and a great song score; yes, it can only be "Love, Simon", the feelgood movie of the current season and a delight for all but the most virulent of homophobes.

Based on a YA novel it tells the tale of Simon, (a terrific Nick Robinson), a typical sweet-natured high-school jock whose secret is he's gay and who falls in love with another boy, who signs himself 'Blue', online. The problem is the other boy isn't out either and their correspondence must be anonymous. There are several candidates as to who Blue might be and we have to wait, as does Simon, to find out his identity. Perhaps what's most amazing about Greg Berlanti's film is that it's a product of Trump's America and like Simon himself, hopefully it will encourage a lot of other young adults to come out. An LGBT classic.

Honestly, I'm so glad I read the book first

[jameshatfield-77323 · 6/10 · 28 December 2020]

If I watched the film before reading the book, I probably wouldn't have bothered. In the book Blue's identity is kept secret until the last 50 pages or so, with subtle hints, some of which are misleading. In the film his identity is revealed explicitly 25 minutes in. Then there's that annoying teacher who talks to students about his tinder hookups, which no real teacher would ever do without getting fired and Martin's character is so unlikable in the film, in the book the whole point was everyone except Simon liked him, but here he's just annoying and awful and creepy.

The book felt so realistic and really resonated with me, being a gay teenager who is struggling to come out, and the film just didn't do it justice.

Best Movie of 2018 So Far!!!

[adensiegel · 10/10 · 8 March 2018]

Love, Simon was such and amazing movie!!! For one the cast was PHENOMENAL, but two the story had me going through so many emotions! I laughed and cried my way through such an amazing story. I related to it in so many ways and I hope many more people will get to enjoy this incredible movie!

Good Enough

[PennyReviews · 7/10 · 20 April 2020]

Love Simon was a feel good movie. Loved the pop refrences and how the main character matured through his experience. The movie was overall nicely paced, with sweet friendship dynamics and an interesting main character that didn't overdo it and kept things real. So, for a teenage movie, this one was probably one of the best they have produced the last couple of years.

An ordinary but important movie .

[g_cotterell · 10/10 · 17 April 2018]

So some context before my review , I'm 38 , British , and a gay guy. I wish this movie had been around when I was 17/18 and completely mixed up. All I had to relate too was Queer As Folk ( the Uk tv series ) and that was not relatable to me at all. I think the secret to Love Simon's success is that it's authentic with well rounded characters that are relatable to people . The film is lead by Nick Robinson (Jurassic World ) who turns in a fantastic performance with subtle nuances that make Simon a well rounded character. This isn't an indie film , no one dies of AIDS, or sleeps around , there's no tragic accidents, it's just perfectly normal . It reminds me of 10 Things I Hate About You in that it's smart and insightful and very touching ! Go and see it :)

I can't begin to explain what movie means so much to me.

[saphire-11289 · 10/10 · 20 December 2019]

Not only is "Love, Simon" a well written, directed, and acted movie but it is immensely important. I see a lot of LGBTQ people bash this movie because maybe it's not perfect or they just want to be offended about something. For a major blockbuster movie to be centered around a gay guys coming out story is huge. Maybe to people who are out this is not very important, but you being out and proud is different than someone who is not out. I am not out but am planning on coming out soon and this movie really means so much to me. I would consider it my favorite movie tbh (considering I cried in most parts). I am 20 but I can only imagine how 13 year old me would have reacted to this movie, I might have came out sooner (although I'm not even late coming out now tbh). My point is that I just know that this movie has touched and really meant a lot to other LGBTQ people who maybe are not in a great place in life or have unaccepting family so they feel like they can't come out.

Thank you to anyone who was a part of this film.

Time to Exhale

[bob-the-movie-man · 7/10 · 14 March 2018]

Teen heartthrob Nick Robinson (the older brother from "Jurassic World") plays the eponymous hero who has a well-buried secret: he's gay. Growing up in Pleasantville (I almost expected someone to yell "Cat!" and the fire brigade turn up) he feels unable to come out to either his high-school friends or his loving family ("Apple pie cooling on the window-sill anyone?"). But striking up an email relationship with another closeted male from the same high school - nicknamed "Blue" - allows him to explore his feelings about his sexuality and fall in love all at the same time. But neither coming out or love run terribly smoothly for Simon...

I am forty years adrift from being able to directly relate to the stresses and strains of modern high-school life (though I AM still 17 on the inside people!) But even to me, this film doesn't feel like it should be set in the present day. While it needs to be for its tweeting and blogging story-line, surely there are few backwaters in either America or Western Europe where gay people have to stay so silent? An 80's or early 90's setting would, I think, have worked so much better. (Ironically, its not his gay-ness or otherwise that his friends get upset by, but something far more fundamental in the human condition).

That aside, this is a sweet and ultimately quite engaging film that I'm sure will be a big hit with a teenage audience. While for me it didn't come close to ticking all of the coming-of-age boxes that the inestimable "Lady Bird" did, it does cover old ground in a new and refreshing way, and I'm sure it WILL be very helpful for many gay people in getting the courage to come out. Times are different today, but I still can imagine few things requiring more bravery than declaring you are gay to your parents and closest friends (even though, deep down, they surely already suspect).

So, it's sweet, but also for me (although far from its target audience) rather flat. As a comedy drama, the moments of comedy are few and far between, with only one or two of the lines making me chuckle rather than smile. A quiet auditorium is not a good sign for a film with "Comedy" in its imdb description. It does however occasionally break through with something memorable: a full on college "La La Land" scene ("Not that gay" - LoL) is a case in point. And all of the scenes featuring comedy actress Natasha Rothwell as drama teacher Ms Allbright add much needed energy and humour to the film.

Of the teen actors, Robinson is fine but it is Katherine Langford as Simon's friend Leah who stood out for me. Talitha Eliana Bateman ("The 5th Wave"; looking a whole lot younger than her 16 years!) is also impressive as Simon's culinary sister Nora. Simon's parents are played by Jennifer Garner ("Dallas Buyers Club") and Josh Duhamel (a new one on me... he's been in the "Transformers" films apparently).

The screenplay is by movie virgins Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker, and is a slightly patchy affair. There are scenes that worked well (a cringe inducing sports stadium scene for example) but other times where it seems to be trying too hard for T-shirt captions.... a line from Ethan (Clark Moore) about hate crime was a "Ye-what?" moment.

Some of the characters really don't quite work either: Tony Hale (so memorable as the useless PA in "Veep") plays almost a school-ified version of Stephen Stucker's Johnny from "Airplane". Perhaps that would work as some sort of whacky hall monitor guy... but it transpires that he is the headmaster. No, I don't think so.

So, in summary, after a bit of a bumpy start, its a pleasant watch that culminates in a feel-good ending. I can't see it getting a cinema release in Gambia or Nigeria, though God only knows they could use one. I was going to give this one 6*, but as I applaud both the theme its trying to promote and for bringing something fresh to the screen...

(For the full graphical review, please visit bob-the-movie-man.com or One Mann's Movies on Facebook. Thanks).