Love, Simon (2018), directed by Greg Berlanti

In this high school comedy with a difference closeted teen Simon develops an email-only relationship with Blue, a fellow student who is also hiding his sexuality. Simon is delaying coming out until he goes to college but discovery of his secret by a schoolmate threatens this plan. Martin blackmails Simon into setting him up with a good friend. Low key and understated, the film is not terribly profound but that’s what makes it ground-breaking, because it treats a teen coming out story like any other high school story. There is a nice exploration of Simon’s imagination as he tries to figure out the identity of Blue, but some aspects of the story are not quite credible. It is hard to believe that with such a supportive family and good friends Simon would not have confided in a soul, particularly his best friend Leah and especially when the blackmail starts. Nick Robinson is suitably appealing as Simon, who learns that being his authentic self is the most important thing, especially with his friends. Australian actress Katherine Langford does a good job as the thwarted Leah. The secret of Blue’s identity is kept from everyone, including Simon, until the very end, providing an appropriate reward.