The Reel Review
When Simon discovers there is a fellow closeted gay student at his high school, the two strike up an anonymous online relationship, sending Simon on a journey to discover the identity of his new pen pal, and incidentally, sparking his own terrifying, exciting journey of self discovery.
Nick Robinson (Jurassic World and Everything, Everything) is perfectly cast in this gay rom-com as the emotionally tortured teen, and the supporting cast is stellar, despite a film adaptation of Becky Albertalli’s young adult novel that has some painfully corny moments.
Fortunately, the genuine, heartfelt ones vastly outnumber them – in particular, a tearjerker of a speech by Jennifer Garner, as Simon’s mom. And then there is that applause-generating, super sweet ending that proves everyone deserves a great first love story. Awwww.