"Love Simon" A High School Senior Struggles Somewhat with Sharing His Sexual Orientation

"Love Simon" is a likable & thoughtful film about the dilemmas & anxieties of coming out as gay to your friends & family as a teen.  Simon (Nick Robinson "Jurassic Park") is a self-described happy typical high school sr. with fabulous friends and a family he loves except for one "huge ass secret".  The secret holding Simon back from breathing & behaving freely is the fear his whole wonderful world will shatter should he dare utter I'm gay and make it common knowledge in a world that is not welcoming to the gay community.  So far, everything seems to be too perfect in Simon's affluent neighborhood.  He's blessed with parents who love each other (Jennifer Garner and Josh Duhamel) and both him & his younger sister, a likable aspiring chief.  His friends are cool, good looking and generally kindhearted young adults.  Here I have a major issue.  Simon & his cool rat pack of attractive friends don't resemble teenagers.  They old enough to be out of college.  This is the case; the talented cast are all in their 20s.   It would unacceptable to limit the role of a gay character to a homosexual actor, it badly distorts the reality of a serious subject matter by using actors too old for their roles as teens vying to find they way to feel safe & comfortable with themselves.  This criticism aside, there's much to take pride with a film tackling stress induced issues of finding acceptance in one's immediate family and peer group, let alone a world where homophobia persists.  The film captures the fun of youth (despite an adult cast).  It also presents the absurdity of intolerance regarding sexuality orientation.  There's a clever parody of teens coming out as heterosexual to the horrified responses of their parents. It's funny & outs the point that sexual identity should be a non-issue.  Josh Duhamel as Simon's father makes some off-handed remarks to Simon that would make a child feel their parent's disapproval should they be gay.  Duhamel wasn't credible in his role perhaps feeling uncomfortable himself in his off-putting and pernicious remarks.  Garner fares better as the one who understands her son has been holding back "as if holding your {Simon's} breath for 4 years" and is relieved for him.  He can now live his life freely and with the support of knowing he is loved and that he's still the same decent and incredible person he's always been.  The principal and the drama teacher were scene stealers in their comedic roles wanting to bond and at odds  with their young wards at times.  The last scene is a drawn out rip off from "Never Been Kissed" and was a buzz kill.  But this is a movie not to be missed for its gay protagonist and its many acts of compassion bestowed (besides blackmail) and the power of being honest with oneself and others.   Furthermore would it be so bad to put your cell phones aside and look someone in the eyes?