REVIEW: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

There are no spoilers in this review.

PLOT: An introvert freshman is taken under the wings of two seniors who welcome him to the real world.


THE GOOD: Stephen Chbosky. Stephen Chbosky is not only the author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, but he served as screenwriter, producer, and director on the film. Having Chbosky at the helm was the brilliant idea of fellow producers John Malkovich, Lianne Halfon, and Russell Smith. You couldn't get a more accurate adaptation of the book even if he served as an adviser. Does Chbosky still have a lot to learn about making movies? Almost definitely. There's not much visually astounding in the film. Thankfully, Chbosky didn't get into this film not having any experience with showbiz. He did the screenplay for the film adaptation of the musical Rent. I assume that was his in to getting Logan Lerman and Emma Watson since Rent was directed by Chris Columbus, the director of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief and the first two Harry Potter films. Chbosky was also the creator and writer of the TV show with a cult following, Jericho.

CHARLIE: "Did you know that the original name for Pac-Man was Puck-Man?"

Story. I've read reviews saying that this story has been done to death in the last few years. Guy likes girl + girl likes guy but dates a-holes + indie music = the recipe for many indie teen romcoms like Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, The Art of Getting By, and One Day. But there's a deeper level to Stephen Chbosky's story that's missing in any of those examples. It's not your typical coming-of-age story. It's about making peace with issues and how people live their lives with them. It's also about learning what true friendship is. Chbosky's novel was first released in February of 1999 and was immediately well-received. It deals with all sorts of themes ranging like drugs, sex, homosexuality, and suicide. Movies, music, and literature also play a big role in the shaping of the main characters. The movie takes place in the early 1990s, when kids were still making mix tapes for each other using cassettes (yes, CDs were around, but CD burning was not really a thing yet). There's a big surprise at the end of the film that I will not come close to ruining here, but it's vital and shocking.

Acting. I've read interviews with Stephen Chbosky where he says that it took him so long to make a movie because he was waiting for the perfect cast of the three main characters of Charlie, Sam, and Patrick. Boy, I am so glad that he waited. Logan Lerman is 100% perfect as Charlie. He has this face that automatically makes you feel sorry for him. You just want to walk up to him and give him a big hug in every scene he's in. Easily his best performance so far and I'm very much looking forward to seeing how he does in Darren Aronofsky's Noah. Stick with those dramatic roles, and maybe do a Percy Jackson film every now and then, and he's sure to go places. Emma Watson is pretty good as Sam. Attractive enough, but mostly seems like she handled the damaged role with great naturalism. I've heard worse American accents from actors, but her's is still not that great. All is forgiven though in some pretty powerful one-on-one scenes with Lerman. Ezra Miller as Patrick definitely stood out as having an especially spectacular performance. He plays Sam's gay stepbrother who has complications of his own. Joining them is a great cast of youngins and adults alike, like Mae Whitman, Paul Rudd, Melanie Lynskey, Johnny Simmons, Dylan McDermott, and Kate Walsh.

PATRICK: "Did you know that all of the money that Summit makes on this film will go directly to funding Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 lunchboxes."

THE BAD: Nothing.


THE END: I had high expectations for The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Going off of the preview, I could just tell that it was my kind of movie. A movie that deals with life and relationships in more realistic ways. But Perks is about much more than growing up and teen angst. It sends you down to a different level beyond what you would expect from a movie like this. There are no clichés and the movie doesn't treat the teens like idiots. For that, I appreciate and love this film. It will likely make my top ten of the year. Perks will be released in four theatres this weekend, and should expand in the coming weeks. It's a must-see.


DISCUSS: What did you think of The Perks of Being a Wallflower? Have you read the book? What was your first year of high school like? Could you relate to any of the stories in the movie?

Why is it that every indie romcom has to have a character whose favorite band is The Smiths?