The Perks of Being a Wallflower
(2012)We are infinite.
Emma Watson, Logan Lerman and Ezra Miller star in this adaptation of Stephen Chbosky's critically acclaimed coming-of-age novel. Introduced to a new school, introverted 15-year-old Charlie (Lerman) finds solace in two welcoming seniors (Watson and Miller). But when some harsh realities hit, Charlie must endure the trials of loss, love and his own shaky mentality.
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Directed by Stephen Chbosky
Starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Nina Dobrev, Paul Rudd, Mae Whitman, Melanie Lynskey, Kate Walsh
Written by Stephen Chbosky (based on the novel by Stephen Chbosky)
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The Perks of Being a Wallflower
The Press Reviews
85%
of critics recommend.
Rotten Tomatoes Score. More reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
The Perks Of Being A Wallflower is a sweet surprise, a funny, touching terrific and quite wonderful movie that gets it all right about the joys and heartbreaks of growing up circa 1991. Full Review
It offers the rare pleasure of an author directing his own book, and doing it well. No one who loves the book will complain about the movie, and especially not about its near-ideal casting. Full Review
An honest, affection-hooking, coming-of-age drama which proves that there is life beyond Hogwarts for Emma Watson. Full Review
The movie is tough-minded: It zeroes in on Patrick's anger at dating a closeted football star, and it doesn't let Charlie off the hook for his cruelty or self-pity. Full Review
Perks deserves points for going beyond the typical coming-of-age drivel aimed at teens. Full Review
Logan Lerman delivers a career-making turn in this sweet, sincere film. It might not be a massive hit, but it will certainly ease a few paths through the awkwardness of adolescence. Full Review
Has all the substance of a teenage strop, and none of the energy. Full Review
Heartfelt but rather generic. Full Review
Likable, unsurprising and principally a showcase for the pretty young cast, notably Mr. Miller, who brings texture to his witty if sensitive gay quipster. Full Review
Stephen Chbosky [directs] with far more passion than skill, which suits familiar scenes of adolescent awkwardness aptly enough. Full Review
BY Adam Fresco Flicks Writer
Stephen Chbosky adapts and directs his coming-of-age epistolary novel, resulting in a high school movie that’s emotional and engaging without being overly sentimental. Refusing to shirk the dark side of adolescence, Chbosky deals with themes of sex, death, drugs, dependency, abuse and identity – and not a sparkly vampire in sight.... More
There’s plenty of humour amidst the teen awkwardness and angst, much courtesy of Mae Whitman, who owns the role of Mary Elizabeth: “a nice person underneath the parts of her that hate everybody.” In minor roles the adult supporting cast are great - especially Joan Cusack as Charlie's doctor and Paul Rudd as Mr. Anderson.
It’s the youngsters that impress, however. Logan Lerman charms as ‘Wallflower’ Charlie, American-accented Emma Watson is spot on as Sam, and Ezra Miller perfect as Patrick. All this and a cracking teen soundtrack, groovy 1990s period detail, solid unshowy direction and a script that makes the leap from page to screen with little of the raw emotional appeal of Charlie’s letters lost.
Like the book, the film attempts a sincere, moving and provocative portrayal of imperfect, uncertain young people. Some will find it too sweet, too soap-operatic or just too American, but with Charlie’s rallying cry of “we are infinite,” Perks joins The Hunger Games and Silver Linings Playbook as a U.S. movie adaptation that does justice to its source material.
Perks may just become The Breakfast Club of new century teens, adding guts to the high school genre by attempting to portray the sickly sweet truth of teenage trials and tribulations - acne n’ all.Hide
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