Perks of Being a Wallflower was a lot more than I expected. The story line drew you in from the beginning and the constant flashbacks didn’t allow your mind to stray from what was happening on screen.
Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, and Ezra Miller comprise a dynamic trio that might inevitably remind you of Emma’s other two best friends, but these are way less magical and have much more angst. With an unstable wallflower tormented by his past, a girl who only accepts “the love she thinks she deserves” even though it’s not the right kind of love, and a confident homosexual teen in the 1990s about 10-15 years ahead of his time, Perks conquers as a top film in its genre.
Stephen Chbosky the director and writer of both the original novel and screenplay, created the epitome of a movie centered on the teenage years in ways other movies have failed. From High School Musical to The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (in all its installments) being a teenager, with teenage issues, has always been pigeon holed to just having relationship issues and constant arguments with your parents. Though, nothing less of a real teenage drama could be expected from the same group of producers that made Juno into the critically acclaimed film it is recognized as today.
Even though this has been one of Stephen’s first films to hit the big screen, the prospect of having a major media push (especially after casting Emma Watson to play Sam) didn’t intimidate the story he wanted to tell. As a viewer, you get a raw take on a teenager’s life told from Charlie’s perspective with many different personas rounding out the verdict: being a teenager is walking a tunnel on your own two feet (albeit sandwiched in between friends also making the journey) and coming out the other end stronger.
The rawness, vulnerability, and unpredictability is what makes this a great Indie drama film.
The story is grounded on Charlie’s letters to an anonymous reader, who allows you to take a step back from the constant teen drive and look at the scene through the eyes of someone older than sixteen. Chbosky creates a platform from where you are able to both experience and analyze Charlie’s life, in a way that no other teenage drama has been able to capture. This film is more than a Freaky Friday outer body experience, it’s a look at real world problems from the eyes of a teenager whose greatest torment is being too aware of others problems.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aog8680PVmU
6 responses so far ↓
Brooklyn Brit // Oct 8th 2012 at 6:39 pm
Enjoyed reading this critique because I wouldn’t normally watch a teen film like this but your in depth look at it shows there maybe more to it than the poster suggests.
Harlem Kat // Oct 8th 2012 at 9:55 pm
I was always curious about the film but you definitely have me interested in watching it. The main thing I want to know is whether or not it was worth my time and you showed me that it was definitely worth me watching. So many teen movies lack depth but this one seems to have enough depth to keep me interested
elizabeth griffin // Oct 9th 2012 at 12:53 am
great review Vivian! I also loved the tunnel scene and how free Sam was because im the type of person that would actually do that. I really loved the dark element to Perks of Being a Wallflower and well Logan Lerman was just the best bonus for me.
Vivian // Oct 9th 2012 at 8:14 pm
I agree a lot of teen movies are very superficial and ultimately afraid to delve into the real issues that are tangled with being a teenager. It was refreshing to see a film that didn’t victimize any of its characters, at no point did I feel sorry for them, I just genuinely felt their pain.
KAYONNE JOHNSON // Oct 10th 2012 at 8:08 pm
I watched the trailer for this film awhile back but I thought it seemed pretty predictable and not worth the time and effort to watch it. But due to your review, I may give it a try. In addition, there is something about Emma Watson that draws me in, I am anxious to see her develop more as an actress. I anticipate many awards in her future.
ra125058 // Dec 15th 2012 at 11:56 pm
It is a good review Vivian. I think you did a good job on describing about the film, the director, artists, and plots. As an audience you said you were able to feel their pain and making connection with the characters, which i think made a film truly successful.
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