We loved the book so it was only right that we made damn well sure that we watched the movie too. Some novels are adapted by separate screenplay writers but not this one, no siree. Stephen Chbosky, the man who wrote the modern coming-of-age novel “The Perks of Being A Wallflower” made sure that he had a hand at written and directing the film of the same name as well. Besides, who better to do it than Stephen himself?
The film stars Logan Lerman as the socially inept Charlie, Hermione Granger Emma Watson as Charlie’s love interest and somewhat popular Sam, and Ezra Miller (read: psycho son from 2011’s “We Need To Talk About Kevin”) as Patrick (Sam’s brother). When we heard that these were the young stars that Stephen cast, we couldn’t think of any way to dispute his choice.
Clearly, he had an eye for more than just writing a novel.
And the story goes; Charlie befriends Sam and Patrick during his freshman year of high school, at a time where he’s just beginning to battle with the idea of growing up. He’s also fresh out of the traumatic loss of his only friend from school and harbouring an emotional wound from his past that involves a close relative.
With some other friends, Charlie, Sam, and Patrick sorta “head out” to discover their lives as teenagers. By being teenagers, in Stephen Chbosky’s mind, it means experimenting with feelings, sexuality, some dabbling with drugs, a sip or two of alcohol, and learning to handle emotional as well as mental issues. Oh you know, pretty normal “teenage”-y stuff. With great help and influence from friends, no less.
Yes, there will be times where even you, as a member of the audience, will begin to feel like you could relate to the growing up gains and pains of these kids.
Also, be prepared to see Emma Watson out of her Hogwarts element and be duly impressed with her first major film. We must say that she has definitely gotten it all down pat for her character as Sam, completely trained with a proper accent to go with it and all. The one other person that you’ll be surprise to see out of her element would be “The Vampire Diaries” star Nina Dobrev, who plays Charlie’s older sister, Candace.
At first, she behaves all hostile towards Charlie but we later discover that even Candace hides some very powerful self-loathing. Maybe it’s because we love Nina’s role as “Katherine” in “The Vampire Diaries” but we’re quite certain that nobody does Candace’s toxic role better than Nina.
Again, Stephen Chbosky is pretty damn well boss in the casting department, amongst other things.
“The Perks of Being A Wallflower” shouldn’t be given a miss if you can help it. The story is something most of us can immediately relate to (read: adolescence, growing up) and the cast’s performances will not be something that you’d immediately overlook. We say, catch it in a cinema near you today!
Like, now.
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For more information, visit the movie’s official website.
