Gay love stories aren’t new anymore, but this latest from Netflix came with 52 million fans from the graphic novel that inspired it. The trajectory of 2 school boys falling for each other plays out in the typical plot: Out gay nerd (newcomer Joe Locke) befriends the school jock (Kit Connor, who played the young Elton John in Rocketman). Of course their friendship grows into something more, but not before the typical coming out and bullying issues. There are also 2 side stories about a lesbian couple, plus a trans girl and her best straight friend. What makes this film so appealing is the indisputably sweet approach to the characters and the fact that these actors look their age, which isn’t often the case. The approach is so fresh and innocent, that sex never enters the conversation (which I found a bit unrealistic for teen boys). Since this is an adaption some of the hard edges have been softened and animated emojis punctuate special moments. Overall, it’s an appealing and amiable entry into the romcom field. 
(4.5 / 5)
