The movie everyone’s talking about | Photo: IMDB/20th Century Fox
Love, Simon is the gay teen rom-com winning over hearts everywhere. It’s been open in the United States nearly a week and has made almost $15 million.
The movie, about a high school teen’s coming out, which also operates as a genuinely fun teen film, is earning rave reviews. It boasts an impressive 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Thanks to a couple of big names, seeing the movie will be even easier in select towns this weekend.
Out actor Matt Bomer bought out a screening of the film in his hometown of Spring, Texas. The screening’s at 4 pm on Sunday (25 March).
Bomer’s theater buy-out | Photo: Instagram @mattbomer
About his decision to buy out a screening, Bomer wrote: ‘This is an important movie, and a really good one. I know you’ll love it so come watch for free this Sunday!’
He wasn’t the only one, either.
The movie’s director Greg Berlanti and his husband, former soccer player, Robbie Rogers, also bought out screenings.
They bought out screenings this weekend in Mississippi and Kentucky.
Saturday’s screening is in Flowood, Mississippi at 7:15 pm. Sunday’s screening is in Louisville, Kentucky at 1:10 pm.
Berlanti’s buy-out | Photo: Instagram @gberlanti
‘@robbierogers and I have been so emotionally affected to the reactions to @lovesimonmovie and to supporters hosting screenings that we have decided to buy out two theatres,’ Berlanti wrote.
‘We have partnered with local LGBTQ organizations in Jackson, MS and Louisville, KY. Our hope is that young LGBTQ people in these cities that might not have the opportunity to see Love Simon now will have the chance. Thank you everyone for your support.’
Important stories deserve to be seen
This is not the first time something like this has happened. There is a driving force propelling people to see themselves represented on screen.
Previously, theaters offered women-only screenings of Wonder Woman.
When Hidden Figures came out last year, Octavia Spencer bought out screening of the movie. More recently, numerous celebrities bought out screenings of Black Panther and A Wrinkle in Time in predominantly black areas. They also occasionally teamed with organizations like the Boys and Girls Club to allow children to see the movies specifically.
