Back in February 1999 author Stephen Chbosky's book "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" was published. I read the book that summer and though I remember finding it very depressing, I was also very moved.
When I read that Chbosky planned to adapt the book into a screenplay and direct the film version, I couldn't wait to see it. With the author writing the screen play and calling the shots behind the camera, how could the movie not be authentic to the book?
On Sunday afternoon I headed with two friends to the Kendall Square Cinema to watch the adaptation. Actor Logan Lerman plays the main character, Charlie. I thought Lerman was perfectly cast. He was equal parts awkward, observant, intelligent and naive. The perfect recipe for a high school loner.
Charlie's crush and center of his adolescent universe is Sam, played by "Harry Potter" phenom Emma Watson. Though a friend who also saw the movie this weekend said, "She was way too pretty for this part," I actually disagree. I think we were watching her through Charlie's eyes and through his lens, she was perfect. Though I will say, her British accent did sneak in there from time to time.
Actress Mae Whitman, best known for her role as Amber Holt on NBC's "Parenthood," plays one of Sam's friends, Mary Elizabeth. She asks Charlie to the Sadie Hawkins dance and then tricks him into becoming her boyfriend. That might be my favorite scene in the movie. Whitman was a delight as the punk rock Buddhist who lives for "Rocky Horror Picture Show."
For me, the star of the entire movie was Ezra Miller, who plays Patrick. Patrick is Sam's step brother. He also happens to be gay and hiding his relationship with the quarterback on the football team. Patrick is larger than life with his gregarious nature, constant comedy show and ability to make any misfit feel welcome. I would love to see Ezra Miller receive a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the Golden Globes or the Oscars.
I also want to give a nod to the set designers who did a fantastic job re-creating the high school world I remember from the book. I thought their interpretation of Sam's bedroom was total genius. The twinkle lights above the bed, the plush pink bedding, the antique mirrors, the rock posters - it was exact.
What I did not remember from the book was that Charlie had been sexually abused by his aunt Helen. I had zero recollection of that at all and when it came to light in the movie I was shocked. I was even more taken aback because Aunt Helen is played by Melanie Lynskey who always plays the chubby sidekick in romantic comedy movies. I just could't picture someone so traditionally sweet doing something so unthinkable. Maybe that was the point?
Somehow the movie scored a PG-13 rating despite it's intense subject matter which included: suicide, mental illness, physical abuse, sexual abuse, underage drinking and drug use. Apparently if you don't curse and you don't show any nudity you can fly under the "R" radar. There were about six young girls in the audience in our theater and I felt super upset that they were allowed to see it.
Though "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is depressing and disturbing, the movie is magnificent. Author Stephen Chboksy did an incredible job taking his story to the big screen.
Did you read the book? Did you see the movie? What did you think?
