As we looked back at 2018, each of the Mercury’s movie critics decided to highlight just one of our favorite movies of the year—movies that might not get as many awards or eyes as the most talked-about or financially successful films of the year, but movies that are still very much worth watching and rewatching.
I started Love, Simon on an airplane, and then became infuriated when the plane landed before I was finished. After a successful second attempt to finish it, I confirmed that I do love Love, Simon. Based on the YA novel by Becky Albertalli, it’s a relatable tale of the anxieties of being a non-heterosexual person in high school and keeping a romance secret from your friends and family. As Simon (Nick Robinson) tries to solve the mystery of his anonymous crush (the two trade emails, but not names), Love, Simon examines the internal struggle of knowing you’re gay but not being ready to announce it to your world, even when you have supportive friends and a family that’ll love you no matter what. (Simon’s sweet but oblivious dad, played by Josh Duhamel, is “an annoyingly handsome quarterback who married the hot valedictorian,” played by Jennifer Garner.) Unlike some seriously depressing films about coming out, Love, Simon is a dramedy that’s actually funny, and it includes some excellent adult characters, like drama teacher Ms. Albright (Insecure’s Natasha Rothwell) and Vice Principal Worth (Veep’s Tony Hale). A tender, much-needed heart-to-heart between mother and son near Love, Simon’s conclusion caused wetness to leak from my eyes as I shouted, “Goddammit, Jennifer Garner!” at my TV. But it was a good cry. (dir. Greg Berlanti, available via Amazon, iTunes, Movie Madness)
Read more of the Mercury’s award-winning* movies and TV coverage! For movie times, click here.
*Not actually award-winning
