Call Him By His Name.
110 Mins. Starring: Nick Robinson, Katherine Langford, Alexandra Shipp, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Keiynan Lonsdale, Logan Miller, Miles Heizer, Joey Pollari, Talitha Bateman, Natasha Rothwell, Tony Hale, Josh Duhamel & Jennifer Garner. Director: Greg Berlanti.
Simon says, his life is normal. He's just like you. And it is. He is. He's got a family that he actually likes. His mom was her high-school valedictorian and this prom queens high school sweetheart was the sportstar quarterback. A stud who is still running all the way to the touchdown of a happy marriage. He has the sweetest sister and the BEST friends. One who drink too much iced coffee and gorge on too many canteen carbs. You know?! Kid stuff! So yeah he's just like you. Except Simon says he has one huge ass secret. He's gay. Simon says he just wants to live a normal life and boy should we let him. Because this is a normal love. As normal, far from ordinary in the way that any love we hold in our heart, unique and sweet is and as beautiful as the eyes you can't stop looking at. Or the individual you can't stop thinking about. No matter how many times you look at your phone in hopes that you just didn't happen to hear that text or call, like you haven't been stop, looking and listening all night. If only you could pluck up the courage to dial those digits yourself, yet you're wooried what they'll say. Yet Simon is wooried what everyone will say. Imagine that! He just wants to hold on to the life he had before for as long as he can, but imagine the life he'll give once he gives it a shot. 'Love, Simon' like you love thy neighbour as this coming out, coming of age story is the sweet saccharine taste of teenage love that everyone deserves. Man or woman. Woman to woman. Man to man. Boy meets girl. Boy meets boy. Whomever meets whomever. Love is love. And love is a sacred thing. Especially your first. And that should be celebrated. Not closeted. And now from the producers of 'The Fault In Our Stars', rom-drama 'Love, Simon'-showing homaged heart to the 80's and 90's, growing up with the American dream classics of John Hughes and Cameron Crowe in station wagon and vintage fur under denim-offers the same story to this boys life without discrimination or distinction. But redefinition. As 'Riverdale' and 'Arrow' producer Greg Berlanti, who shot and lobbied hard for 'Dawsons Creek's' first gay kiss way back when changes the entertainment game again. Going by Becky Albertalli's young adult, bestselling book 'Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda' as he doesn't wait for this young life to be over.
Simon says his name is Jaques. But it isn't. He wasn't born in Paris. It isn't even Simon. It's Nick Robinson. Big brother of 'Jurassic World'. The sensitive soul that gave 'Everything, Everything' to the girl who couldn't step out of her front door. A face that already looked familiar. But is now going to be most recognizable for this identity. This is his movie. His classic. What he'll be remembered for, for changing his career and the culture as a whole. Beyond entertainment, but current. A movement of a movie like fellow heroes 'Wonder Woman' and the 'Black Panther', but in his own ordinary, individual light. And still as groundbreaking as 'Brokeback', 'Moonlight' and what should have followed sun-bathed in Oscars this Academy, 'Call Me By Your Name'. Whereas latest horror 'A Quiet Place' is hushed, game-changing cinema for the genre, this breaks new ground for our culture as a whole. But yet and more straight-forward, still so simple a story in all of loves complications...no matter who it is you end up falling for. There's more than a quick message here for the D.M. generation. One that could last a lifetime...or send a lifeline. This is inspired. But in a generation genuinely in need of more postive influences and role models this is so important. Here is one who hasn't even left school, but boy has he graduated. And just in the knick if time Robinson should be his own valedictorian like his mother. Whether cap thrown and gown, or in the blogger age of personal penmanship. This film isn't full of big speeches however, but definitive declarations of self in order to help others. They call kids today selfish. But I see nothing but real friends looking out for each other like family, sister or brother. And without stereotype, misunderstood disrespect, or misguided understanding (or the lack of), Robinson is the real deal. Giving Sam Spier the shot he deserves and the cupid taken heart of a boys life, so far in love he doesn't know what to do with himself. Let alone the feelings he has, who he has them for and what everyone around him will think of all that. But no longer hiding behind his locker, Simon will walk the halls with pride. No matter who is holding books or hands by his side. It doesn't get much tougher than that. He's got heart no matter what the rest say. Save the one F-word of power for those bullies who see it as amusement. This is his life. His other four letter word. This is the "This Is Me" 'Showman' stage. And he's ready to ride this illuminating ferris wheel from the bottom, straight to the top in this wonderwheel wonderland.
Simon says we all need friends. And with 'Breakfast Club' ones like these, whose going to be hurt by enemies...or even "frenemies"? Simon says he could give you '13 Reasons Why', but how about the star of that redefining Netflix show Katherine Langford streaming through this story with the best friend qualities of someone who will never stray, no matter what side of the street she walks on? Or the amazing Alexandra Shipp? The kind of friend who you may have only known for 6 months, but feels like forever. Look familiar? Yep that's her the 'X-Men: Apocalypse' star. A real Storm of a talent that even the cool kid Jorge Lendeborg Jr. is crushing on her with comic-book geek no shame. But that's got nothing on the meme and gif internet immortalized nerding of Logan Miller, who previously played a young, alright, alright, alright version of McConaughey on Matthew's 'Ghost Of (Epic Career Fails) Girlfriends Past'. Showing that those over the head, Cusack stereo gestures just don't play in real life when everyone has a smartphone to record and share your pants round your ankles moment. Logan just can't get lucky, but be school problems weary, this kids got Wolverine claws...no matter how cowardly they come out. It's a good job Simon has more friends who have got his back than those looking to stab him in it. But between handsome good-jock, Keiynan Lonsdale, sweet-natured, Miles Heizer and Waffle House waiter with more than meets the eye on the side Joey Pollari, who is the Blue e-mail pen-pal who has been helping Simon feel anything but? As a Catfish like hue shows the typing correspondent between the two star-crossed, but in the shadows Romeo lovers to perhaps also add a weary warning of typing and pouring all your feelings out to an unidentifiable stranger behind the screen who you have no idea of their real identity, let alone look. But in this dark age of the web, this charming movie of the best times of your life is nothing but light in showing us that all love deserves its place in the sun...and not in a shaded shame. This soulful teen tale full of heart holds as close as family. And Simon's here really is the dearest. His sister Talitha Bateman, baking constantly, is mature beyond her curious years. Whilst his perfect parents, played with white picket punctuation by 'Life As We Know It' parent and 'Transformer' Josh Duhamel and award winning Jennifer Garner are actually beyond the whole nine yard fantasy as real as it gets when family focuses on exactly that. Even a hilarious character actor Tony Hale is more than a vice principal trying to be down with the cool kids cariacture once he gets serious. And a hilarous drum-roll and symbol for music teacher Natasha Rothwell please. But for all the important implications here this film like real love, between anyone who all have the same rights as everyone else is pure, unadulterated fun (one coming out as straight, alternate reality montage is as hilarious as it is really saying something). And we say that's how it should be. How it should have always been like it can be now and forever more. Don't you agree? Simon says...go see this movie. You'll love it. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'Call Me By Your Name', 'Lady Bird', 'Say Anything'.
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