Love, Simon - Barney's Incorrect Five Second Reviews

Not what you'd expect, but still a pretty good coming-of-age story.

I find this to be the most misleading trailer since Drive. I was expecting a super casual and light comedy about coming-out. Instead, I got Perks of Being a Wallflower morphing into You've Got Mail and then trying a Never Been Kissed type of epilogue. Luckily 2/3rds through the movie it turns into some pretty heavy drama and I think those are the best parts of the movie. The act of voluntarily versus involuntarily coming-out to your friends, to your family. Those moments are exceptionally well done I think and have a ton of emotional impact. Josh Duhamel even does a decent job as the father.

I think the best lines went to Clark Moore's openly gay character in the movie (shown in pic), who I think was a total blast. Also helped to offer perspective on the whole, "why didn't you tell me?" angle that gets played out when someone comes out.

In the end I don't think movie works that well as a comedy, and especially doesn't work as any type of romance movie. But it does work as a coming-out story which I think is easily the deepest and most authentic storyline in the film. Much like Lady Bird, the funniest bits are once again done by the school play director. She's hilarious.

Pretty good overall.

Heart rating: 4.5 stars (i got misty-eyed a few times, it works)

Brain rating: 3.5 stars (the Never Been Kissed ending bothered me, and I'm not sure I've ever seen two actors less interested in kissing each other)