i predict that when love, simon comes out a bunch of people on here are going to be bending over backwards to find parts of it that are “cringey” or not 100% in line with our 2018 views on gender and sexual politics, but like, that’s sorta the point? It’s a teen coming-of-age movie. That genre is by very definition cringey. I grew up with perks of being a wallflower, whip it, and juno. I still love those movies but i’ll be the first to admit that they have certain elements that are cringe-worthy. Even classics like ferris bueller and the breakfast club have their flaws looking back on them as an adult. I imagine love, simon will be just as cringey as the john green books and movies that people fawned over on this website for years. The point is, this isn’t meant to be some cinematic masterpiece that revolutionizes the gay film genre. It’s not going to win any oscars. It’s a bubblegum coming of age movie that’s made for teens, especially gay teens, to enjoy. If you’re a twenty-something and this movie feels juvenile or lacking nuance or silly to you, maybe that’s because it’s not for you. Let it be for the 13-year-old gay and questioning kids who have only ever seen themselves represented as the quirky bestfriend in coming of age narratives before, not the protagonist until now. Let it be for the young gay people who are burnt out on independent, artsy gay tragedies and just want to see themselves in a goofy popcorn flick for once. For all the corny, embarrassing romcoms straight teenagers get, don’t gay teens deserve one too? It’s not that deep.
