Everyone deserves a great love story. That's what the poster says and Greg Berlanti, in his first cinematic outing as director, delivers a great love story.
If the name Greg Berlanti is not familiar to you; he developed and is still the showrunner for Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, DC's Legends of Tomorrow and so many more. He has created a television universe for DC characters that Marvel have done with their cinematic universe. He uses his talent for storytelling to film Simon, his struggles and his love story.
Based on the novel "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli, the film starts out with an exposition narrative by the titular Simon. We learn that he lives a "normal" life and has everything going for him apart from his one big, dark secret; he's gay. He lives with his ex-jock dad, psychotherapist mom and younger sister who, incidentally, spends the whole film trying out her culinary inventions on the family. No one knows he is gay and he lives day to day in fear of either having to cone out or being outed.
No spoilers but this film does have a happy ending. Along the way we meet Simon's friends, schoolmates and teachers, all of whom add to the tapestry of Simon's life. Some are caricatures for sure, but they can be forgiven as they serve the story.
Nick Robinson plays Simon. His previous big role was in 2015's Jurassic World. Here he carries the film with help from his co stars and his on-screen mum played by Jennifer Garner.
I liked this film. It is not as provocative or beautiful as Call Me By Your Name. It is a simple love story, simply told, and all the better for it.