Bring Tissues to Love, Simon #movie_review

A modern-day Pretty in Pink, Love, Simon sends viewers on a roller coaster of emotions in this coming of age movie.

High school senior, Simon Spier (played by Nick Robinson) has a perfect life, a loving family and amazing friends but he’s hiding a secret. He’s gay. When a student with the alias, Blue, posts on the school blog about his own secret, Simon begins an email relationship with him. 

​As Simon sets out to find his mysterious classmate, another student screen shots Simon’s emails and threatens to “out” him unless he does what he wants. Up against a rock and a hard place, Simon jeopardizes his friendships and hurts those around him in an effort to keep his secret. 

​Love, Simon will have you laughing and in tears at times. Life is challenging enough but when you are trying to keep a secret and protect your reputation, it seems like life or death. Through it all, having people who care about you can save the day.

​Love, Simon has many parallels with Pretty in Pink from the opposite gender best friend who is secretly in love with the main character to the big finale on whether or not the love interest will show up. While a little predictable, Love, Simon will draw you in as Simon sets out to figure out who the mysterious Blue is. The story keeps you guessing until the very end. 

​Comic relief comes in the form of a sassy Drama teacher and the awkward vice-principal. In addition, the character of Ethan, who is a gay student, has the best lines. With a deadpan face, he puts the bullies in their place. I adored Jennifer Garner as Simon’s mom. She’s the mom everyone would love to have. While Josh Duhamel as Simon’s father, comes off as trying too hard to be a part of his son’s life, he means well and is a realistic portrayal of a father who puts his foot in his mouth.

​If you have any teens in your life, you will want to take them to see this movie. It’s one which you will enjoy again and again because you leave the theater feeling like everything is right in the world.