From the creator of Riverdale comes a modern romance that will pull at your heartstrings played out by an incredibly talented cast: Why Love, Simon is the film we ALL need to see
Sponsored by 20th Century Fox
Every once in a while a special film comes along that really pulls at your heartstrings. A film about the ups and downs of falling in love for the first time, and being true to yourself - Love, Simon is one of those films.
What makes it particularly special is that finally, a coming of age love story with a gay protagonist has made its way onto the big screen.
Love, Simon is the story of 17-year-old Simon Spier, a typical teenager from Atlanta, Georgia, with an adoring family and tight-knit friends, and he hasn't yet told them that he's gay.
Simon, who is played by rising star Nick Robinson, has had his life turned upside down when he starts an online relationship with an anonymous classmate who he knows only as Blue.
Therein lies the plot of this pull-at-the-heartstrings rom-com.
Will they meet? Of course they will, it's teen-targeted Hollywood. And we are totally along for the ride!
You can watch the trailer for yourself below but be prepared for plenty of well-timed jokes and relatable, awkward scenes featuring an all-star cast which includes Jennifer Garner and Josh Duhamel.
Scroll down for trailer
Love, Simon starring Nick Robinson is a modern romance story which follows Simon Spier, a 17-year-old high school student as he comes out to his family and friends
The story is simple, uplifting and just what the world of cinema (and, come to think of it, everyone ) needs after a year of heavy handed Hollywood scandal.
Here are just some of the reason viewers young, old, gay, straight, black, white should rush to this groundbreaking, long overdue film.
While being relatable to everyone, it provides a strong message of inclusion
Based on the best-selling young adult novel, Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda, Love, Simon confronts the issues that many young people face when falling in love for the first time.
While trying to come to terms with his sexuality, Simon is blackmailed, and struggles to find the balance with family, friends and being true to himself. Something countless viewers will be able to relate to.
The story follows Simon as he comes out to his family and friends and works his way up to his first love story which he describes as 'romantic AF'
He has tear-inducing moments of honesty with his parents and endures the gut-wrenching, late night sobs of puppy love heartbreak that all teenagers, gay and straight, experience.
For decades, stories about dough-eyed girls who go from dork to prom queen to win over their dream guy have been the norm for young adult films.
Whenever the protagonist is a teenage boy, the story seems to turn into toilet humour jokes and funny dancing.
Love, Simon steps out of these confinements to deliver something fresh and truly reflective of the generation it represents.
The internet plays a fascinating role in the story
Being a millenial story, Love, Simon is peppered throughout by the ever menacing world of the internet.
The film highlights both the beauty and danger of social media and what growing up among it really is.
The internet and social media play a crucial role in the film. It is how he comes into contact with Blue who writes a brave, anonymous post announcing his sexuality
The sometimes menacing side of the internet is also depicted when a third party threatens to expose Simon and Blue's secret correspondence after discovering their emails. This cruel reality of the world of social media and living online is one that too many young people know only too well
Without it, Simon and Blue would never come into contact or, at the very least, their introduction would have been delayed.
But their private exchanges would also never have been revealed to a cruel third outsider who threatens to blackmail the protagonist once he discovers them.
Both are explored in the film and there are culturally appropriate references to boot.
Josh Duhamel innocently offering to help his son create a Grindr profile ('It's Facebook for gay people, right?'), is one particularly relatable dad moment.
It has an all-star cast of old talent and fresh faces
Who else but Duhamel and Garner could play more open-minded, warm and genetically blessed parents.
For Garner, it is a return to the big screen after years off. She is mesmerizing and predictably fuzzy as the mom of everyone's dreams.
As for Duhamel, he's the hunky dad we all wish our friends grew up with.
Jennifer Garner and Josh Duhamel play the warm and fuzzy parents everyone wishes they had
They give moments of pure emotion, particularly when they are each told by Simon about his sexuality
Theirs are the most recognizable names on the bill but they are not necessarily the most exciting.
It is a breakthrough role for Robinson who, until now, has had success in sitcoms and small movie parts.
Other young, promising talents that appear include Glee's Clark Moore and Australian beauty Katherine Langford of 13 Reasons Why.
Greg Berlanti, who masterminded the hugely successful Riverdale, is the director and writers Isaac Aptaker & Elizabeth Berger of This Is Us (the wildly popular sitcom sweeping the world) are also involved.
Home grown talent: Australian actress Katherine Langford is another promising talent that appears in the film
Feel good film: Love, Simon is a story that appeals to all
It has enough feel-good factor to last a year
Love, Simon has all the hallmarks of a heartwarming, uplifting story.
There's the likeable protagonist, his group of loyal friends, a hopeful love story and the innocence of youth.
Throw in the catchy trailer song and the reward of knowing that the film you've paid to see is actually putting a worthwhile issue at the forefront of pop culture, it's hard to think of a reason not to go to see it.
- Love, Simon will be released in cinemas on March 29
Love, Simon promises to be one of the most uplifting, young adult films of the year with its innocent romance and timely theme
Young talent: Katherine Langford and Nick Robinson wowed on the red carpet at the Sydney premiere of Love, Simon last weekend
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