*no spoilers here, just trivia, reflections, and feet/shirtless reflections*
So, probably like every other gay man, I was curious to see Love, Simon. I think it’s important because of what it represents… a commercial, mainstream gay movie aimed at young adults. At it’s core, it’s not too terribly different from any teen “rom com” before it… but at the same time, that’s what makes it remarkable.
I have read the book, and I think I do prefer the movie overall. The cast is very good… I particularly loved the hapless drama teacher. I saw it on opening night, and the theater was rather full. It was about 50-50 with adults and teens (mostly girls). And while the movie is quite good at what it is, I was actually more moved by the audience itself. At the key reveal scene toward the end of the movie, nearly our entire audience gasped, “awwwwwwww”ed and cheered. Hearing that collective reaction live was, even in this day and age, surprising. That made my eyes well up almost more than the film itself.
And as someone my age, this movie, as well as Call Me By Your Name, made me nostalgic for my own childhood/young adult struggles in identity, romance, and relationships. I myself first came out just out of high school to my best (female) friend while sitting in my junker car pulled over the curb–so that really resonated with me. It also sparked a discussion with my husband and his own remembrances, which was very illuminating. If a movie can create that much of a discussion, I feel it’s succeed. It also makes me realize that while it may indeed be easier for kids in this day and age to come out, it still is by no means entirely risk-free.
Something that I missed in the film but my husband caught is that Robbie Rogers, the out gay soccer player, has a cameo as their soccer coach. And at one point, Colton Haynes filmed a scene where he picked up the main character in a bar (something that does happen in the book), but apparently it got cut from the final film. Colton is still thanked at the end credits, and should there ever be a DVD release with deleted scenes, that would be one to see for sure.
Time to be superficial: the cute actor, Nick Robinson (22 yo), is barefoot and socked a few times in the film. One is in the very beginning of the film, and it literally only last for 1-2 seconds, and about half-way through the movie. The first shot is fairly close up, the other not so much. He is socked, and while the view is quick , it’s pretty good, as you can see below. Sorry for the low res quality–I had to take pic of a newspaper pic, as I haven’t been able to find this pic online. (Update: a reader sent a higher res version and a gif, included below!)
He also does appear shirtless and wet as he peeks out of a shower, and we get a pretty good view (only from the waist up).
If you haven’t seen it yet, I’d say give it a go!
