A great movie about a troubled introvert develops beautifully.

Rating: 8/10 (28 July 2018)

3.5/4
I must admit up front, I was very surprised that I liked The Perks Of Being A Wallflower as much as I did. I walked in with pre-set expectations, and while most of them were indeed met, this movie soared high above them in many ways. It's more than a typical, plastic, and fake teen movie. While some may praise The Perks for its image of rebellion, it's raw, unflinching truth and depth would make it appeal to a wider audience of teens and adults as well.
The director, Stephen Chbosky, also wrote the screenplay for this movie, AND the book that the movie is adapting. John Hughes was originally slated to direct this, but when he died, Chbosky assumes full creative control. I am glad this happened, because the story is his vision, and he's getting to realize it through a whole new medium. He evidently knows how to work a character, and they all seem worked to perfection.
The story follows a wallflower named Charlie who has trouble connecting with peers, as well as a traumatic event from his childhood (revealed at the end of the movie) hold him back. This movie chronicles his freshman year of high-school, which entails gaining and losing relationships, and ultimately finding his place I The middle of teenage angst. The Perks Of Being A Wallflower never fails to be brutally honest about Charlie's emotions and problems in his life.
Everyone of Charlie's friends is a senior in high-school. While they have problems in their own minds, there is a separating factor between theirs and Charlie's. Charlie's problems are purely based on unfortunate circumstances, while his friends problems are for the most part brought on by themselves. The way it's subtlely conveyed: Charlie is from middle-class roots while his friends are from the elite wealthy. They offer Charlie support, and they think they can relate to his feelings. It turns out that they have was each other's solutions. Charlie needs someone to take interest in him, and his good friends need someone who's willing to listen to them. This rings true to a teen culture, that everyone experiences at some point, which is filled with both self-indulged and personal real-life issues. Everything is so confusing, especially when depression, love, and need-for-acceptance all want to take the front seat.
As far as the acting, Charlie (Logan Lerman) and Patrick (Ezra Miller) totally steal the show. Patrick is the class-clown and helps keep the heavy-handed plot fairly light-hearted and fun, while Charlie is just a great all-around guy, just with a past that was horrible to him and a boatload of anxiety. The actors keep the characters relatable for the full effect of their preformances.
If you haven't had the pleasure of getting to see this gem, take advantage. It will resonate with anyone who is currently in, or who has ever been through adolescence. All in all, it's a great coming-of-age tale and phenomenal among the ranks of "teen movies".