The Perks of being a Wallflower, released on September 20, 2012 is a coming-of-age drama film directed and written by Stephen Chbosky, an adaptation of his own novel with the same name published in 1999. The casts of the film are Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Mae Whitman, Nina Dobrev, Paul Rudd and many more. The film won Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature in 2013, People’s Choice Awards for Favorite Dramatic Movie, Dramatic Movie Actress in 2013 etc.
Summary of the plot
A fifteen-year-old, introverted freshman high schooler Charlie finds it hard to settle in his new social life after losing his best friend to suicide.
Review
The film held a special place in my heart and it always will as every time it reminds me of the past. I read the book in my teenage years and remembered loving it to the point that I didn’t want to watch the movie as mostly movies based on book adaptations manage to butcher the original story. But I am glad I did, in the end. The film did justice to the character Charlie and portrayed him just the way I pictured him in my mind. All the characters are unique, but I adored Patrick, he was my favorite character even back when I was reading the book. Although some family story lines had been excluded but the audience still can see the bond this family held. It’s really hard to explain or portrayed the conception of flashbacks, episodes, voices in the head to people that never have to go through the process but I think the film did an amazing job to show what it feels like. But it was kind of disappointing of not being able to see the poem Charlies late best friend wrote in the film. Till this day the poem remains one of my favorites.
Favorite quote
“I can see it. This one moment when you know you’re not a sad story. You are alive. You stand up and see the lights on the buildings and everything that makes you wonder. And you’re listing to that song on that drive with the people you love most in the world. And in this moment, I swear… we are infinite.”
Conclusion
The book was a roller-coaster journey and the movie was a nostalgic reminder of that. I love the way it brings back those nostalgic feelings I can’t seem to remember anymore. If you can, find the poem and give it a read, you won’t be disappointed.
Reference
cover poster - Source
(Rest of the images are taken from the film)
