Love, Simon

Front Row at the Movies by Shirrel Rhoades

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A rom-com for our time, “Love, Simon” gives us a closeted gay teenager who falls in love with an anonymous online friend who goes by the name of Blue.

While trying to decide how to let his family know about his sexual orientation, Simon Spier is threatened to be outed by an online blackmailer. Can he discover the identity of the blackmailer before his entire school discovers he’s gay? And what to do about Blue?

A gay teen. An online romance. A coming out story. A mystery. What’s more in tune with our evolving society and its social values?

Nick Robinson (“Jurassic World,” TV’s “Melissa and Joey”) takes on the complex role of Simon. Although he’s 22, he smoothly passes as a high school teenager. He also comes across well as a (closeted) gay.

One of the most searched for question on the Internet is whether Nick Robinson is actually gay or not. The answer is: “As far as we’re aware, Nick isn’t gay, or at the very least, has not commented on his sexually.” Which means he’s either a really good actor, or good at closeting his own penchants.

While entertaining, “Love, Simon” is no heavy drama like “Call Me By Your Name.” But then again, it’s a step up from “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry.”

“Love, Simon” is based on the book “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” by Becky Albertalli. Is there a large enough gay YA audience to support the film version, we’ll have to wait and see.

You can catch “Love, Simon” playing at Tropic Cinema.

Nick Robinson is handsome and charming. He could pass for a lacrosse player as easily as a closeted gay student.

The film’s director, Greg Berlanti, is best known for producing such TV series as “Arrow” and “Riverdale.” No, don’t get overexcited, Archie Andrews is not coming out anytime soon.

Time Magazine asked if today’s teens really need this movie. Some film buffs call this rom-com “groundbreaking.” Others call it “sappy.”

Go see it and decide for yourself. We won’t out you for buying a ticket.

Email Shirrel: srhoades@aol.com