Release Date: March 16, 2018

Director: Greg Berlani

Starring: Nick Robinson (Simon Spier), Josh Duhamel (Jack Spier), Jennifer Garner (Emily Spier), Katherine Langford (Leah Burke)

Our Rating: A++

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Throughout history, there has been a lack of LGBTQ+ representation in the film and media industries, but director Greg Berlani wasn’t afraid to adapt Becky Albertali’s book “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” into a major motion picture. “Love, Simon” seems to be the perfect representation of what a movie should be for those people who are struggling to find their identity or sexuality.

“Love, Simon” is centered around a 17-year-old boy, Simon Spier, who is not openly gay and who is trying to make his way throughout high school. When Blue, an anonymous boy at their school, comes out of the closet, Simon begins emailing him for advice. However, this friendship soon evolves into something more romantic. After his emails with Blue get into the wrong hands, Simon did everything it took to save his emails from being leaked to the entire school.

“‘Love, Simon’ is by far one of best movies I have ever watched. I love how the way they made the movie so relatable and fun to watch,” freshman Natalie Abrahantes said.

Most movie directors tend to stray away from LGBTQ+ related movies because of the possible controversies within the community that can cause difficulty when trying to produce films such as “Love, Simon.” Over the years, members of the LGBTQ+ community did not traditionally adopt the main roles in movies, and even when they were they were usually set in unrealistic situations that rarely ended happily. However, “Love, Simon” has turned out to be pure perfection. The movie transcends teens who are struggling to find their identity, proves that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and demonstrates that being part of the LGBTQ+ community isn’t as difficult as it is depicted in various other movies.

“I came into watching ‘Love, Simon’ not really knowing what the movie was about, but I was so happy that I ended up watching it because it’s the type of movie that you don’t expect to leave you in such suspense and joy,” sophomore Angelina Bonilla said.

However, since there are many difficulties when it comes to being part of the LGBTQ+ community, it is nice to see another, happier side in “Love, Simon.” The movie sets out to be a perfect coming-of-age film that anybody can relate to. It is the kind of movie that can keep an audience at the edge of their seats in its entirety. “Love, Simon” can inspire some personal reflection, especially when seeing exactly what Simon had to go through when he decided to come out to ultimately attain happiness. Its overall lightheartedness and relatability is what makes “Love, Simon” so lovable.