The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Review by Anthony Morris

Introverted fifteen year-old Charlie (Logan Lerman) is having a rough time of things.

His best friend recently killed himself and he had a mental breakdown not long afterwards, so returning to the world of high school is not exactly filling him with confidence and joy.

Fortunately he's taken under the wing of a pair of older kids: Patrick (Ezra Miller) and his step sister Sam (Emma Watson). Dramatic and flamboyant, they're exactly what he needs to come out of his shell, even if it's also somewhat obvious that he may not be entirely ready, let alone able, to face the world on his lonesome.

Based on the popular mid-90s novel by Stephen Chbosky (who wrote and directed this), Wallflower is a solid tale of teen angst and redemption though finding friends that, like you, don't fit in.

It's not afraid to go dark(ish) in places, which adds a vital edge to what is otherwise a fairly predictable feel-good tale for much of its length. Lerman is spot on as a kid who's trying to put himself back together but is still more fragile than those around him, and both Miller and Watson do good work as arty types putting on a brave face despite their own problems.

That said, not everything here works: the song chosen to symbolise their desire for freedom is a smart choice, the fact these proto-hipster kids seem to have never heard it before (seriously, even in early-90s pre-internet Pittsberg they would have heard of this song) totally derails the movie every time it’s mentioned.

But the embarrassing stuff is embarrassing on purpose, the friendships feel real and the triumphs for the most part feel earned.

It’s the kind of story that can really connect to an audience, and for the most part this gets it right.

3 out of 5

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Australian release: 29th November, 2012
Official Site: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Cast: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Mae Whitman, Kate Walsh, Dylan McDermott, Nina Dobrev, Paul Rudd
Director: Stephen Chbosky