Title: Love, Simon
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Greg Berlanti
Starring: Nick Robinson, Katherine Langford, Alexandra Shipp
Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins

What It Is: Simon (Robinson) is a young man with almost everything a teenager could hope for. Great parents, great friends and enough of a rep to pass through high school fairly unscathed. Simon has ALMOST everything a teenager could hope for…except an identity. At least one he can relate to. You see Simon is hiding a secret. One that is really important to a young man’s growth, a secret he thinks will shatter this picture perfect life he’s currently living.

What We Think: This film does something with its concept that will surprise everyone. It handles it perfectly. Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker’s script feels like actual teenagers talking. You never question their friendship. It’s all put together really well. Berlanti, who’s known for his work on television network The CW does a nice job handling it all. Nick Robinson is a freaking star here. I mean he was pretty annoying in Jurassic World. I think that has a bit more to do with that films awful writing then so his performance in the film. Jennifer Garner and Josh Duhamel play parents who come off as too good to be, but that’s because so many films portray parents as bumbling idiots incapable of seeing their children’s needs. Also, the soundtrack deserves some recognition. 

Our Grade: A-, I can’t do any more to convince you this film is a good one. An important one for many people struggling with their identity the way Simon is. I wouldn’t say it’s an important film but I think it is a rather perfect 2018 film. A young fresh cast full of future superstars never hurt either. Berlanti is scheduled to directed Booster Gold for Warner Bros and DC Comics. If this is an indicator of the what he can do behind the camera (it’s been 8 years since he has) then the slick mouthed Booster is in good shape.