Love, Simon directed by Greg Berlanti, is based on the book “Simon VS the homosapiens agenda” written by Becky Albertalli . The book was adapted for the screen by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger. It could be classified as a teen movie as well as romantic-comedy. The movie score was composed by Rob Simonsen (The age of Adaline (2015).
The movie premiered for the first time on the 22 March of 2018 in Brazil. Love, Simon was starring hit-stars such as Nick Robinson (Jurassic Park (2015) Katherine Langford (Thirteen reasons why (2017), Jennifer Garner (Valentine’s day (2010) as well as Josh Duhamel (Transformers (2007).
The movie was a massive hit throughout the planet grossing more than 66 Millions Dollars. And is still today, in the world of 2020, a beloved movie.
The movie received numerous (9) awards such as “Best Kiss” at the MTV Movie & TV Awards, GLAAD Media Award for “Outstanding Film”
Love, Simon is about the life of a normal teenager called Simon, taking place in our days. He is a normal young man : going to parties, hanging out with friends and as he says it “Drinking way too much iced coffee”. Except he keeps a secret from all: he is gay.
Everything changes in his life when a closeted gay guy of his school publishes a message signing his message as “Blue”.
As blue signs his first message, coming out anonymously to all. Simon takes one decision that will forever change his life: he messages him, anonymously. Signing his messages as “Jacques”, follow an email relationship between the two teenagers. Simon wishes to find who his mystery pen pal is, and investigate: is it Bram, Cal or Lyle? Will he be able to find his dear pen pal he is slowly falling in love with without being put in danger?
On this way it may seem like a typical rom-com so why does it matter so much to so many people?
What makes it different is its heart. It is ridiculous to qualify a movie with such a word but it is somehow true. For the first time, there was finally a movie about gay people without fetishization, without sexual elements making them sexual creatures and sexual creatures only.
The movie was not about the sexualization of gay men; which unfortunately happens in our modern days way too often like in the movie “Call me by your name (2017)”.
Nor a tragedy like in “Brokeback Mountains (2005)”.
For the first time in movie history there was a story about a gay kid, a protagonist, not the side character. Struggling, fighting to accept himself.
It was the first time that not only gay people but as well as just the whole LGBTQ+ community had someone they could relate to. For closeted kids, confused teenagers this movie helped them discover who they were but most importantly to accept who they love, who they are.
True, scared and themselves… Simon portrayed a lot of elements that before no movie ever gave to them. Panic and fear of someone finding out.
Fear and panic had always been a constant way of living for gay people, for people like Simon. Always being scared that someone may find out. Always being prudent and looking below your shoulder. Simon always was holding his breath. Always being cautious.
It shows as well how tiring of hiding yourself is, of how tired and scared you are all the time. Always hiding, in fear. The fear that if someone finds out they will not treat you the same, they will only look at you like you are a monster... The fear you’re your friends will not support you anymore, the fear of being bullied for your sexuality, the fear that your parents would hate you or try to change you.
“Or maybe it’s because I can’t be sure this whole “being gay” thing is forever. Or maybe it’s that there’s not that much of high school left and part of me wants to hold on to who I’ve always been just a little longer. And then, when I go to college in Los Angeles, I’ll be gay and proud, I promise.”
The incredible gay panic of seeing someone you are attracted to “Nice… Boots !” but as well as when Simon first messaged Blue, the way he sits... Just every little detail that LGBTQ+ kids could recognize themselves into.
When Simon Had to come out of his parents, was a powerful moment of “Why heterosexuals do not have to do that? Why would I ?”. But the truth is, deep down, we are scared of what people will think, what our family will think.
“Why the hell would I deny it ?! I’m not ashamed of it”
It was also, a clear representation of the ridiculous of the situation: Why would we gay kids have to do a coming-out while heterosexuals do not have to? The scene showing that, this incomprehension showed it with humanity as well as with humor.
“Anyway, I’ve been thinking about why I haven’t come out yet. Maybe it’s because it doesn’t seem fair that only gay people have to come out. Why is straight the default?”
It was showing as well the pressure and the loneliness pushed by society on the shoulders of LGBTQ+ kids. By little remarks, little questions, LGBTQ+ kids always felt like they were the problem, as if loving someone of the same gender as you made you a monstrosity, an anomaly. And even more in a little town, where strict minded people are doing the rules.
Simon forced coming out was an emotional part of the movie. The fear in his eyes, the way he held his breath: a known feeling. When his sister knew, she was shocked, crying, as if it was changing something. As if knowing that he is not attracted to girls changed him.
“I wouldn't change a thing about you”
And when he finally told his parents, they were shocked and surprised, but deeply they always knew that he was different. They knew he was hiding something.
“These last few years it's almost like I could feel you holding your breath... but now you get to exhale Simon. You get to be more you than you have been in a very long time”
And it was so important and meaningful, they loved him as him. No matter who he loved, he was accepted, loved and cherished. They didn’t try to change him, they accepted and supported him. Acknowledging that he was the same person as he always was.
“You are still you Simon. You deserve everything you want”
Parents showing this love to their child were such an incredible unknown feeling, giving hope to LGBTQ+ kids that even if at the beginning of knowing their parents were reticent they would accept them. Loving them, as whom they are, and not for the person they are pretending to be.
After that he had to go back to school, where his sexuality was exposed to all. He had to be alone, alone in the sea of strangers looking at him as if he were a monster. His worst fear came to life , by the way they treated him.
During the cafeteria scene, Simon is getting bullied and publically mocked, him as well as an another gay kid. A teacher stepped in and treated the two idiots exactly in the right way: not blaming the victims but blaming them, the bullies.
It was as well showing how friends could turn their backs on you just for something as petty as high school romance, while Simon was living the worst moment of his life. He was lonely, scared, heart-broken and his friends gave up on him. Also while asking for an apology from him, knowing he literally suffered of black-mail.
But Simon was strong and proud. He wasn’t hiding anymore, no matter how hard it was.
And when he saw the man responsible for everything, the man who took away from him something that was supposed to be for him he, finally, broke down. And it made so much sense.
“I don’t care if you didn’t think that my coming out would be a big thing Martin …Look You don’t get to decide that ...I'm supposed to be the one that decides when and where and how and who knows and how I get to say it ! That's supposed to be my thing! And you took that away from me”
This movie bringed me to tears, because Simon knew how to accept himself, in a time when I couldn’t.
Love, Simon deals with accepting and building yourself but as well as expressing it.
He was forced to but he accepted himself and for a sixteen years old me, closeted and scared of who I was, who I loved, it was so reassuring. It made me feel human, it made me feel loved.
This is why the movie is so important and so loved because for once, we felt safe and loved, we belonged. This movie helped me (and many others) to accept my sexuality. That it was not defining who I was, that I was not a monster. That I can be proud of who I am and not being ashamed anymore.
It is important to have a movie, a character you can relate to. It is worthy and it is so important. Each individual deserves to see themselves on screen.
That movie changed everything, not only for me, but to so many scared LGBTQ+ kids.
“I am done being scared. I am done living in a world where I don’t get to be who I am”
Covert art by : @nephrosoupp