bob_fnord This movie really tries to be progressive. But adding a gay lead-character doesn't change the fact, that the writing is lazy and the acting is unconvincing.. Most of the characters are just teen-movie cliches talking in phrases. At no point in the movie so I feel like investing any emotions in any of characters. Lest of all the main character, Alex, who is really not that likable. To quote the movie: " You have your head up your ass so much; it's depressing"..Adding the gay layer to the story doesn't add much depth; it merely makes it seem like a 90's after-school special about 'It's okay to be gay'.. And the movie's view on queer people seems really stereotypical... It's like they are trying to be progressive, but really they are just reinforcing the gay stereotypes.

tabdancer Alex Truelove is the protagonist I feel like we all need to see. He's brilliant, he's awkward, he's dorky, and he's just as confused as the rest of us. His story truly touched my heart and we very relatable. I've gone through a few labels, and I'm not even sure if I will stick with the one I identify with now. Him exploring his sexuality was something I don't think I've really seen in a movie or tv show before. I've seen people know their label and just have not come out, but this is the first time I've seen a character learn, and in a very realistic way. It was hilarious. I will admit Alex's friends are idiots and were part of the reason I didn't give this a 10/10. I didn't like Dell that much. The frog thing was kind of stupid. I also didn't like the whole frat party. But this movie was still very funny and uplifting.Alex and Elliot are now in my top 5 OTPs. They had this instant connection that was very real. Even from the start, you could see Alex relax with Elliot. It was obvious that he was the one for him. Alex and Claire were cute, but you could tell something was missing (no it wasn't sex). But major props to the actors for pulling off this amazing intimacy without being dirty. Overall, Alex Strangelove is the movie teens who are struggling with thier identity should see. I could see myself in Alex, and I know others did as well. It was a little rocky at times, like with the frat party and Dell's pretty homophobic comments (I hated that scene so much). It is still the coming of age movie young people should watch, especially if they are struggling with their sexuality. 8/10

Jared_Andrews What we have here is a personal story that feels a bit too personal. By that I mean it feels like it was made for a very select audience, perhaps even an audience of one. It's okay for filmmakers to create stories that mean a lot to themselves, but ideally they will mean a lot to many others as well.That's what made 'Ladybird' so wonderful. That's a personal story that feels personal to everyone. It's so full of empathy that all viewers can connect with it and be genuinely moved by it. 'Alex Strangelove' never reaches those heights.Plot-wise, here's the rub: Alex Truelove is a high school senior with typical high school senior problems. He is stressed about getting into the right college. He's stressed about school. He's stressed about figuring out this sex thing. His friends tell him sex is no big deal, but for some reason it hasn't happened for him. He loves his girlfriend, and she loves him too, but he has been putting off that part of their relationship. She doesn't know why and neither does he. Or maybe he does, but he isn't ready to admit it to himself yet. One night at a party, Alex meets a cool guy. Everything becomes harder and harder to understand. It's unclear to viewers, as it is unclear to Alex. He's on a journey to self-discovery. He just hasn't reached his destination yet. Daniel Doheny (the guy who plays Alex) is terrific. He successfully plays the part at various times as charming, funny, awkward, confused and downright mean. It's a challenging role to pull off, and he hits all the right notes. The actors who play Alex's girlfriend Claire (Madeline Weinstein) and the cool guy Elliot (Antonio Marziale) are both fine. They aren't as nuanced and realized as Doheny's Alex, but they don't stand out in a negative way. The film's resolution leaves a bit to be desired. Some loose ends remain untied. It probably would have been better to never introduce those storylines in the first place. The script would've been tighter, and nothing crucial would be lost. Overall, this is a funny and fun movie that's part 'Superbad' (because of the parties and foul language) and part 'Love, Simon' (because of the sexual self-discovery). But it isn't as good as either.

hannahchelgren First of all, it's pretty cool to see a lgbtq movie produced by such an influential, widely used platform. I think this is a good movie for teens questioning their sexuality, as it shows the complexities encountered when entering such territory. Sure, it could have gone deeper, but I see it as a coming out version of other traditional, popular high school romance movies. We need light-hearted, touching, funny, and sometimes awkward movies about queer teen love.