Why I Liked the Book Better Than the Movie

So, as you all know, I read Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda so that I could watch the movie without feeling guilty (because what hooligan would see a movie adaptation of a book without reading the book?). When I did watch Love, Simon yesterday, though, I had some issues--so here's why the book is better than the movie. (Also, obviously SPOILERS for the book and the movie).

1. That's the Title?:​ I understand that this was necessary for marketing and that Love, Simon is easier to say than Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda but that just annoys me-personal preference!

2. Leah Loves Who?: I get that everything from a 300 page book cannot fit into a 2 hour movie, but really? I had some problems with the changes. Like why is Leah in love with Simon? BAD DECISION. She's supposed to be in love with Nick, there's supposed to be a love triangle! The love triangle is a major subplot in the book, and this changes every other plot-line-so this change is one I really don't like.

3. That Weird Vice-Principal: The only teacher mentioned in the book was Ms.Albright, and she was great, so I'm a little confused as to why the super skeevy character of Mr.Worth was necessary? He did not progress the plot at all, and just made conversations awkward with his ignorance.

4. Where's Alice?: In the book, Simon has two sisters: Alice and Nora. Alice is older, and is away at college, but when the three of them interact, we get to see the family side of Simon-a side I think should've been explored in the movie.

5. Martin.....dude why?: In the book, Martin makes some bad decisions, but in the movie, I think his worst decision was asking Abby out at the football game. This scene was not in the book, and while I understand it was Martin's motivator to out Simon, it was just....such an awkward scene. If it had been in the book, I would've accepted it, but adding it makes no sense.

6. No band for Leah?: I know it's presumptuous to assume that Leah on the Offbeat will become a movie, but I did think that it would happen. But now that Leah's band was not mentioned at all in the movie, I have no idea how they'd be able to turn this Simon-verse novel into a motion picture. Leah and Nora's band and their interactions is something that I'm assuming is developed in Leah on the Offbeat, so I'm a little confused as to how this will play out.

7. How the Friends Reacted: I understand that Simon might've gone about everything in unconventional ways, but he was being blackmailed-so I, as an empathetic human being, would've cut him some slack. However; Leah, Nick, and Abby, in the movie, did not cut Simon any slack-they turned their backs on him and ignored him when he needed them the most, and I was NOT a fan of this. I was looking for them to show their support, so this scene broke my heart. AND they just invite him to the fair and that magically fixes everything! In real life, that would not fix anything.

So there's my seven biggest problems with Love, Simon. I think that, if I hadn't read the book, I would've loved the movie. And the movie was good, don't get me wrong. I just have some serious problems with movie adaptations of books. They never say all that I want them to say, and I'm always left a little disappointed.

But, so you don't all hate me forever, here's some things I did love about the movie:

1. Bram meeting up with Simon on the Ferris Wheel-ugh they're so cute! & all of their friends cheering them on just melted my heart. I loved their awkward conversations and their first kiss!

2. Kevin, the other gay boy at school-I love the interaction he and Simon had in the office, and I love the support he shows Simon throughout the whole film.

3. Mrs.Albright!-she was so sarcastic and abrasive and loving, and every line she said made me laugh out loud-she was the perfect example of a sassy teacher, and I loved her character so much!

4. Simon picking Bram up with his friends in the morning, right before the credits-this moment was my favorite of the whole movie, and it was only the last 13 seconds. It showed that Simon had been accepted and that Bram became a part of their group, and that the 5 of them could function as a group-it was something so small that made me so happy!

SO, that's it! I loved the book, I liked the movie, and I want to hear what you all think! Comment on our Instagram and tell us which you liked more: Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda or Love, Simon!

-Ellie