A 17-year-old boy named Simon Spier has a good life. He has a great relationship with his parents as well as little sister, Nora. He also has nice friends, Nick and Leah, whom he’s known since kindergarten. And there’s this new girl, Abby, that Simon is friendly with in addition.

But there is one little secret that he is hesitant to share. That is… he is gay.

At school, Leah tells Simon about this mysterious boy that she found online, who goes by the name, “Blue.” Simon starts contacting him, but by using the pseudonym, “Jaques.” The two email each other back and forth.

However, this enthusiastic, but irresponsible, classmate called Martin, finds out about those emails. He asks Simon to help him win over Abby since he likes her. Simon is not pleased or willing to aid him. But Martin threatens to leak Simon’s messages between him and Blue to the entire school.

At some point, Simon is desperate to find out who is actually Blue. So far, he has no success.

Later he and Leah go to a Halloween party dressed at Yoko and John Lennon. While there, he assumes that this kid, Bram, is Blue. But Bram is with a girl.

That night, Leah sleeps over at Simon’s house. Simon continues to contact Blue on the computer.

When the rehearsal for the school musical doesn’t go very well, Simon has his friends go to Waffle House to “practice their lines.” While at the restaurant, he meets his classmate, Lyle, whom he once shared a science class with. He wonders if Lyle is Blue.

Simon comes out as gay to Abby. But he tells her not to repeat that to anyone else.

At the school football game, Simon wants to know if Lyle is Blue. But Lyle has a girlfriend. Right after the national anthem begins, Martin interrupts it and announces to everyone that he loves Abby. But she does not love him back.

When it’s Christmas Eve, Martin uploads Simon’s emails between him and Blue for everybody at school to see. Of course, Simon is very unhappy. Nora tries to comfort him, but he asks her to leave. If that’s not bad enough, Blue blocks Simon from emailing him.

The next day, Simon reveals to his parents that he’s gay. They glady accept it.

Unfortunately, Simon’s friends put him down for the mess he put them through this whole time. He even ends up sitting by himself at lunch during school.

Will things improve for Simon?

I am going to admit that although the premise is strong, especially since it focuses on a gay character, the first several minutes were boring. I think the issue was how there was not enough tension. I understand that the tension levels needed to stay low. But that rarely keeps the viewer engaged.

I also had trouble following the story at times. It got confusing.

On the bright side, around the midpoint, the film drew me in even more. And I saw the strengths.

Aside from having the protagonist be part of the LGBTQ+ community, I found all the characters likable – especially Simon. He went through a lot. I particularly felt bad for him when he ended up sitting by himself at lunch after his friends dumped him. Do they ever forgive him and reciprocate? See the movie to find out.

I admire Simon’s relationship with his family. Many stories have the main characters’ families or caregivers be unkind. I know that it’s because the protagonists have to make their own decisions. But it was nice to see Simon have sweet relationships with his parents and sister.

Overall, though, I thought Love, Simon was just okay. Despite the perks, the weaknesses were almost as strong.

A good movie should engage the viewer all the way through. And that especially includes the first several minutes.

I give this film 3.5 out of 5 stars.