[yasr_overall_rating]
Simon Spier keeps a huge secret from his family, his friends, and all of his classmates: he’s gay. When that secret is threatened, Simon must face everyone and come to terms with his identity.
Simon Spier (Nick Robinson) had a secret. Having parents (Jennifer Garner as Emily and Josh Duhamel as Jack) such as his who are open with all their emotions, seems like it would have made it easier for him to go to them with anything that was consuming him with worry, but it is just the opposite. In addition, his little sister who loves him dearly, and vice versa, is seemingly an automatic alternative for unconditional acceptance, and last but not least, a forever gal pal and family friend who he spends hours on end with is no less than the perfect receptacle for dumping any of life’s trash on that seem too heavy to bear. Simon’s life is complicated though because, in spite of having what appears to be normal and happy teenage years, Simon struggles with the fact that he is gay and he doesn’t know how to break the news to everyone around him.
The plot of the film revolves around Simon’s secret e-mail relationship with an unknown person who appears to be the perfect mate. As Simon becomes totally consumed with the messages, he is also consumed with trying to figure out who the unknown suitor is. Simon’s daily activities, other than the communication via email, become insignificant as he attempts to figure out who his suitor is. When one of Simon’s classmates gets wind of the emails via an unattended computer, he attempts to blackmail Simon and all bets are off as Simon sacrifices his circle of friend’s trust in order to appease the enemy. When Simon notifies his secret suitor that he is about to be exposed, the suitor cuts off the communication and Simon is devastated. In the end, Simon comes clean about his secret and is left to clean up the mess he has made with his family and friends. When he gives the suitor one last chance to make himself known, the entire community rallies in support of him and everyone is happier as a result of it.
Director Greg Berlanti did a great job of handling the suspense of an unknown suitor while at the same time exposing the vulnerabilities in every type of relationship. His dealing with a subject that is based on the reality of many of all ages who deal with various aspects of “coming out,“ was handled with extreme professionalism, dignity and the all-saving grace of humor. The entire cast, including Keiynan Lonsdale, Logan Miller, Sean O’Donnell, Jorge Lendenborg Jr., Katherine Langford, and Miles Heizer, played excellent roles that were based on real people. Great lessons of diversity and humility can be learned from this endearing discovery of human frailty and the ever-present need for acceptance and inclusion.
In theaters Friday, March 16th
