Embrace these Wallflowers

I must admit I haven’t read the novel this book is based upon by Stephen Chbosky. I mean now I wouldn’t mind reading it, but knowing that the writer also wrote the screenplay plus directed his own work makes me feel that this would be a faithful interpretation. But let me tell you, I’m actually glad I never read the book, because this movie kept surprising me over and over and really it could have gone anywhere. I mean by the previews it looked like a coming of age movie of teenagers trying to figure out who they are and where they belong in this world. All appealing topics for this blogger, but wow was I surprised when this movie delved into some very serious and sometimes uncomfortable topics that made it that much more surprising and extremely well done. Ok, I’m getting way to ahead of myself here, so maybe I should start at the beginning. (Sorry sometimes, I just want to express the excitement for the movie, before I even give the premise away. Oops my bad).  Let’s begin.

Charlie (Logan Lerman) is a young man about to embark to the big leagues of high school. As a freshmen (sorry I’m using American slang, but that’s what they call it over there) Charlie is about to experience the world that is high school. As a bit of a loner, Charlie finds solace in reading and someday dreams of being a writer. As a bright student, Charlie is introduced to the world of advanced English and the encouraging Mr Anderson (the excellent Paul Rudd, in a role very tamed to what he usually displays). Charlie counts down the days till he will soon be free from high school. Tormented every day he longs for someone other than his English teacher to associate with. Enter the crazy but loveable Patrick (Ezra Miller) who Charlie becomes friends with due to their personalities which don’t exactly put them in the cool category.  But it’s not long before Charlie is introduced to the world of being a Wallflower of young seniors who are non-conformists who each enjoy life and the way they want to live it, including Patrick’s sister Sam (Emma Watson). Charlie gets to now experience a world he may never have seen before with his two new best friends opening his eyes to the real world

Okay, you’re probably now going great this sounds like an Emo movie and why don’t I just speak to the kids in the mall, they probably are experiencing the same life as these kids, but wait before you judge,  as Wallflowers is not as by the books as you would think. There are themes in this movie which are quite intense and may not be for everyone, so don’t expect a happy ending.  What is great about this movie, is that it made light of subjects many directors and writers would never put in a teenage based movie. There are topics which include closet homosexuality, molestation, mental disorders, drug use, suicide, so you have been warned with many scenes very confronting but also very well handled.

This can all be thanks to an amazing young cast. Logan Lerman is amazing as Charlie. I was not quite sure at the start, I mean any young actor can play a moping teen, (Hello Kristen Stewart) but when the movie gets on a roll this kid is extremely talented. That’s not to say he is the only one. Emma Watson can kiss Hermoine gone as her Harry Potter transition is one that is going to work. She makes Sam likeable but also shows her flaws as well. Ezra Miller is also one to keep an eye one. This actor makes Patrick seem like he is a crazy zany character but when peeled back actually has large issues to tackle. All the actors play off each other well, and handle the intense situations many of their characters are given.

 I can’t stress how much I enjoyed this movie. This is a teenage based movie, but delves into situations that are very real and need to be explored more. All the actors and director should be extremely pleased with how this film came out and really my only request is that more people see this film. It’s sometimes the little films that need to be embraced by the movie public. Perks of Being a Wallflower top marks from me 4.5/5.