Last week, I attended a special media screening and panel interview (with actors Nick Robinson, Jennifer Garner, and Josh Duhamel) for the 20th Century Fox film “LOVE, SIMON” at The London Hotel in West Hollywood. Prior to the screening, simply designed, tongue-in-cheek billboards around town piqued my interest.
Besides the posters and the trailer, I didn’t really know what to expect. At first, I thought I was beyond the age bracket to appreciate this movie (I mean it’s about high school kids, and I’m a mom of a preschooler). However, I was very wrong. I absolutely loved LOVE, SIMON!
Movie Review and Interview Recap
“LOVE, SIMON” is based on the book “Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda” by award-winning author Becky Albertalli. The screenplay was adapted by Elizabeth Berger and Issac Aptaker. This is information is crucial because Elizabeth and Issac wrote and produced episodes of my favorite show, This is Us, which makes me cry.every.time. It stars Nick Robinson as Simon, Jennifer Garner as a very liberal mom, and Josh Duhamel as the caring, yet sometimes goofy dad. Nick’s circle of friends (Katherine Langford, Alexandra Shipp, Jorge Lendeborg Jr), along with the school principal (Tony Hale) and hilarious theater instructor (Natasha Rothwell) are very well cast.
Without giving too much away, I want to say it has the camaraderie of “Breakfast Club” vibe, with the mystery of “How I Met Your Mother“, and the feels of “This Is Us“.
Nick Robinson said several scenes from the script that stood out to him, which drew him to want to do the movie. He said after talking to director Greg Berlanti, he “felt confident that he would be able to kind of bring the delicacy that it [the scene] needed.” Also, “the scenes between Josh and Jen, just because they were so beautifully written and I felt like kind of necessary for this whole journey that this Simon character goes on.”
LOVE, SIMON as a template for family conversations:
I thought the scene between Emily and her son is just like a template for how moms could handle a moment like this.
– Jennifer Garner
Relatable Characters
I think that this character represents maybe a lot of fathers out there who have found out that their sons were gay, or their daughters.
– Josh Duhamel
Greg Berlanti and John Hughes:
I felt that it had this– and especially after seeing it, it had, like, this John Hughes sort of– coming of age sort of feel to it, which I loved.
– Josh Duhamel
Everyone has a journey
I think that everyone, myself included, can relate to Simon and his sort of journey in just trying to find yourself and come to terms with yourself in a way that feels comfortable to not just you, but all the people around you as well.
– Nick Robinson
Why everyone should watch “LOVE, SIMON”
But I think the important thing is for people to go out and see it or it won’t happen again…I hope that this is one that people will go and sit in a theater and watch as a group and enjoy and celebrate.
– Jennifer Garner
**CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED “LOVE, SIMON” SNEAKING OUT SATURDAY NIGHT**
Twentieth Century Fox’s LOVE, SIMON will debut in theaters for one night only on Saturday, March 10 ahead of its official March 16 release.
Greg Berlanti’s film follows the story of Simon Spier (Nick Robinson), a teenage boy who has to come out to his friends and family while also trying to uncover the identity of his anonymous crush, has already garnered near universal critical and social acclaim.
Among the enthusiastic responses, Screen Rant called it “an instant modern classic”. Variety commented: “At a cultural moment when it matters so much for audiences to see themselves represented on screen, LOVE, SIMON broadens the spectrum,” while The Daily Beast reported: “It feels like a bona fide event.”
Chris Aronson, President of Domestic Distribution at 20th Century Fox said: “We are delighted by the overwhelming response so far to LOVE, SIMON. We believe it is a very special movie and we want to give audiences a chance to discover that for themselves, which is why we are offering a special sneak preview on Saturday.”
Fans who wish to attend one of these early screenings can purchase tickets at: lovesimontickets.com
LOVE, SIMON – IN THEATERS MARCH 16
Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | #LOVESIMON
Everyone deserves a great love story. But for seventeen-year old Simon Spier it’s a little more complicated: he’s yet to tell his family or friends he’s gay and he doesn’t actually know the identity of the anonymous classmate he’s fallen for online. Resolving both issues proves hilarious, terrifying and life-changing. Directed by Greg Berlanti (Riverdale, The Flash, Supergirl), written by Isaac Aptaker & Elizabeth Berger (This is Us), and based on Becky Albertalli’s acclaimed novel, LOVE, SIMON is a funny and heartfelt coming-of-age story about the thrilling ride of finding yourself and falling in love.
Cast: Nick Robinson, Katherine Langford, Alexandra Shipp, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Miles Heizer, Keiynan Lonsdale, Logan Miller, Jennifer Garner, Josh Duhamel, Tony Hale
Rated PG-13
Tickets for LOVE, SIMON are now on sale!
Get yours here: https://www.lovesimontickets.
Get the Amazing Soundtrack
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Disclaimer: Westside Mommy was invited to a specials screening and event for this movie, sponsored by 20th Century Fox. No monetary compensation was exchanged for this post. All images used with permission. All opinions are honest and 100% my own. This post may contain affiliate links.
