Adoration

The film opens with young Simon visiting his dying grandfather in the hospital. This poignant moment is captured as Simon films their conversations, showcasing the bond they share and highlighting the grandfather's caring nature.

Through Simon's eyes, his grandfather is wise and nurturing, contrasting sharply with Uncle Tom's racist views. This duality sets the stage for the familial tensions that Simon will have to navigate as the story unfolds.

Simon's grandfather harbors deep resentment towards Simon’s father, claiming he intended to harm Simon’s mother during the car crash. This revelation introduces a complex layer of family history shrouded in anger and blame.

The film reveals that Simon's father's eye condition was the true cause of the crash, rather than the malicious intent his grandfather implied. This pivotal moment in the narrative connects the characters' perspectives and highlights the importance of understanding one’s past.

In high school, Simon's French teacher assigns a translation exercise based on a news article about an attempted airplane bombing. This assignment emerges as a catalyst for Simon to explore complicated themes of family, identity, and tragedy.

Inspired by the article, Simon decides to rewrite it from the viewpoint of the child in the womb. This creative choice emphasizes Simon's desire to connect with his own lost family narrative and showcase his unique perspective.

Simon presents his story in class, portraying himself as the unborn child of the woman involved in the bombing attempt. The reaction from his classmates varies, showcasing their mixed feelings about the dark narrative he creates.

Simon's story goes viral online, provoking responses of sympathy, anger, and even support. The diverse reactions he receives exacerbate his sense of alienation but also push him to confront his own identity.

Simon's French teacher remains silent about her connection to Simon's late father, contributing to the complexity of their interactions. This aspect of her character reveals hidden layers of grief and the impact of their shared past.

The intertwining of Simon's fabricated story with the truth of the car crash provides a means for all characters to confront their pasts. This merging of narratives serves as a powerful method for healing and understanding within the family.

Simon experiences intense alienation as he grapples with the online responses to his made-up story about his father. This feeling ultimately prompts him to step away from the digital world and reassess his real-life connections.

Choosing to disconnect from his online persona, Simon embarks on a journey to face the real issues he experienced as a child. This decision marks a crucial turning point in his quest for self-discovery and connections within his family.

The culmination of Simon's journey is marked by the piecing together of his fragmented family history. By revisiting painful memories, Simon and his relatives are able to confront their shared trauma and begin the healing process.

The film concludes with a powerful sense of resolution as Simon unites the disparate threads of his family's story. This Egoyanesque conclusion reinforces the importance of understanding and reconciling with one’s past.