You are here:

Simon

Name: Simon
Director: Marshall Brickman
Released: 1980
Duration: 97 min

Representation Score

7.1/10

Good

1980

Director

Marshall Brickman

Runtime

97 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Simon serves as a significant period piece for its mainstream handling of queer identity. By centering a protagonist's struggle with self-disclosure, the film moves beyond peripheral subplots to make identity a central theme. However, the film's scope is narrow. The lack of racial and ethnic diversity creates a homogeneous environment that limits the narrative's multi-layered depth. The social world feels confined to a specific demographic. Ultimately, the film succeeds in deconstructing social performance and masculinity, even if it uses psychological manipulation as a sci-fi vehicle rather than a direct study of neurodivergence.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Simon have LGBTQ+ representation?

Excellent

The film focuses on a man's journey of self-discovery, integrating his queer identity into his core character development. It challenges traditional assumptions by examining the tension between personal truth and societal norms.

How does Simon portray gender?

Fair

The narrative critiques rigid masculine stereotypes by highlighting the protagonist's emotional vulnerability. However, the supporting cast adheres to traditional gender roles, which limits the film's exploration of social hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Simon?

Limited

The ensemble is predominantly homogeneous, reflecting a specific middle-class New York setting. There is a noticeable absence of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds within the main social circle.

How does Simon represent religion and culture?

Good

The story delves into postmodern skepticism and the instability of truth through personal experience. It prioritizes individual perspective over the stability of traditional social or family structures.

Does Simon include disability representation?

Fair

The film uses brainwashing to explore the malleability of the human psyche and the fragility of mental health. These elements serve more as science-fiction plot devices than as deep explorations of lived disability.

Present on Screen

Integrates queer identity into the central character arc rather than treating it as a subplot.
Challenges traditional masculine stereotypes through the protagonist's emotional vulnerability.
Explores complex themes of subjective reality and the deconstruction of social performance.

Limited or Absent

Lacks racial and ethnic diversity within the primary character ensemble.
Relies on traditional gender roles among the supporting cast.
Uses psychological themes as plot devices rather than exploring lived experiences of disability.

Official Synopsis

A group of scientists take Simon, a psychology professor, as a test person for a brainwashing experiment and try to convince him that he is a living being from another planet.

How are these scores produced? →