Photo Credit: Summit Entertainment
Anyone who remembers their high school experience will likely relate to at least one, if not more, of the characters featured in the new film The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Based on the 1999 book, of the same name, by Stephen Chbosky, the story is set during the early 1990's and focuses on Charlie (Logan Lerman), a teenager, who corresponds through letters to an unnamed friend throughout the film. The letters detail Charlie's thoughts and feelings about life, which are not always positive, but these are his teen years after all and coming of age is rarely an easy journey.
Charlie is a misfit who has trouble making friends. He has a supportive family, but feels that they do not understand him. In addition, Charlie's only good friend, Michael, recently committed suicide and he struggles with images of his late Aunt Helen, who he felt very close to before her death in an automobile accident when he was seven years old. Charlie seemingly bears the weight of the world on his shoulders and wears his heart on his sleeve, making him an easy target for bullies. His shy demeanor and meek personality elicit nasty comments from other classmates, many of whom consider him a loser because he enjoys reading and earning good grades and most importantly, because they know he is not likely to fight back. Despite being treated poorly, Charlie cares deeply about the people he is close to and will not allow the negativity of others to change him. That is remarkable considering that he also suffers from mental illness, which causes his to feel anxious and depressed and he has frequent visions of a past trauma that no one else knows about.
However, Charlie has the good fortune to meet Sam (Emma Watson) and Patrick (Ezra Miller), who are step siblings from a blended family. Charlie befriends the flamboyant Patrick, who fully expresses himself without hesitation and does not care what other people think. Sam demonstrates the same confidence, but suffers from some self esteem issues, as a result of unhealthy relationships with guys who do not treat her well. Charlie is smitten with Sam, but the love is unrequited, which can be a real bitch. Nevertheless, Charlie and Sam become close friends and he encourages her to move on from her past and to do better in school, so she can be accepted into college. There is a love between them, but it remains platonic, partly because Charlie is too shy to express how he really feels.
Charlie also has the good fortune to meet Mr. Anderson (a perfectly restrained Paul Rudd), an English teacher who challenges and encourages the capable and highly intelligent young man. Charlie leans on Mr. Anderson for advice on love and life and always receives valuable advice. In addition to all of his other good qualities, Charlie can keep a secret, too. He inadvertently walks in on Patrick kissing his boyfriend, Brad (Johnny Simmons), but promises not to say anything, since Brad is deeply closeted and does not want anyone to know about his sexual orientation, especially his father. The non-judgemental Charlie just rolls with whatever is thrown at him and never loses his sense of decency or his kind demeanor. Those characteristics endear him to viewers, who will root for him to overcome his many demons and rise to his true potential.
The aforementioned Stephen Chbosky serves as director and screenwriter for The Perks of Being a Wallflower and has crafted one of the best films of the year. Chbosky has assembled an outstanding group of young actors who are all perfectly cast. Logan Lerman (The Three Musketeers), whose acting career began more than a decade ago, expertly conveys Charlie's feelings with his body language and facial expressions. His anxiety is visible and his vulnerability is palpable. In addition, Emma Watson (Harry Potter) delivers a strong, believable performance as the feisty Sam, who has learned to expertly hide her vulnerability around everyone except Charlie. Furthermore, Ezra Miller, who was sensational in the 2011 film We Need to Talk About Kevin, delivers an inspired, no holds barred performance as the out and proud Patrick, who, like Sam, hides his vulnerability well. However, his guard is down after a falling out with Brad and he turns to Charlie for emotional support in one of most touching scenes in the film. The supporting cast includes Nina Dobrev (The Vampire Diaries), as Charlie's sister, Candace, Mae Wittman, as Mary Elizabeth, and Joan Cusack, as Dr. Burton.
There are several memorable scenes throughout the film. One involves a school dance where Charlie decides to join in on the fun, another centers around a Christmas party involving Charlie's small group of friends, and late in the film, when Charlie and Sam are talking about what might have been between them. In addition, there are multiple scenes featuring the trio driving around the city that convey the freedom and feeling of invulnerability that often accompany youth. Chbosky also includes memorable, heart wrenching dialogue that perfectly dissects Charlie's willingness to help and love others, while expecting nothing in return. Indeed, the screenplay tugs at your heartstrings throughout the 100 minute run time. Potential viewers will want to take along tissues - you will need them.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is set in Pittsburgh and features many nods to the city that I called home for many years. References to Kings Restaurant and Eides (a music/book/comic book store) and imagery of the city made me a little misty eyed, too. The soundtrack, featuring songs from the 1980's, is well considered and includes "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House, "Heroes" by David Bowie and "Come on Eileen" by Dexy's Midnight Runners. The one problem I do have with the film concerns the editing, which is a bit choppy during a few early early scenes, but for the most part, the film flows beautifully. Finally, I related to Charlie, Sam and Patrick because I share something in common with each of them and feel as though I have actually met them, or people like them, in my youth. Of course, the Pittsburgh location could have influenced me too, but the characters are so authentic and the story is so powerful and believable that I suspect most viewers may feel the same way. Never before has high school been so difficult, yet so rewarding.
