<P> Love, Simon is a 2018 American romantic comedy - drama film directed by Greg Berlanti, written by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, and based on the novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli . The film stars Nick Robinson, Josh Duhamel, and Jennifer Garner . It centers on Simon Spier, a closeted gay teenage boy in high school who is forced to balance his friends, his family, and the blackmailer threatening to out him to the entire school, while simultaneously attempting to discover the identity of the anonymous classmate with whom he has fallen in love online . </P> <P> Love, Simon premiered at the Mardi Gras Film Festival on February 27, 2018, and was released in the United States on March 16, 2018, by 20th Century Fox . Critics praised the film for its "big heart, diverse and talented cast, and revolutionary normalcy", describing it as an "instant classic" that is "tender, sweet, and affecting" and a "hugely charming crowd - pleaser" that is "funny, warm - hearted and life - affirming", with many comparing it to the romantic comedy - drama films of John Hughes . It is the first major studio film to focus on a gay teenage romance . </P> <P> Simon Spier is a closeted gay teenage boy attending high school in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia . He has a close and loving family: parents Emily and Jack, and sister Nora, as well as three best friends: Nick and Leah, whom he has known most of his life, and newcomer Abby . One day, Leah informs Simon about an online confession of a closeted gay student at their high school, known only by the pseudonym "Blue". As "Jacques", Simon begins communicating with him . The two confide personal details and form a connection . However, their emails are accidentally discovered by another student, Martin, who is infatuated with Abby . After learning his secret, Martin blackmails Simon by threatening to make photos of Simon's emails public and forces Simon to help him win over Abby . </P> <P> Simon begins to suspect that one of his classmates, Bram, is Blue . At a Halloween party, he attempts to connect with Bram, but later Simon walks in on him and a female student making out . Inebriated, Simon is walked home by Leah, who then sleeps over . She speaks vaguely about how she feels that she is fated to love one person very intensely, and Simon believes she is referring to Nick . </P>

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