Looking for a Fall Pick-Me Up type film? You should checkout the film, “Perks of a Wallflower.” Our very own Hana Tariku (We love you Hana), did a review on the film.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Finding Yourself Through Others
Stephen Chbosky’s film, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, is a scrupulous depiction of what high school is like for those who are finding themselves. Through the film, viewers saw the true perks of being a wallflower. The main perk being able to find yourself through another. And while the book is amazing and describes the struggle that many young adults face when reaching a transitioning point in life. It was not able to include the raw emotions portrayed by Sam (Emma Watson), Patrick (Ezra Miller) and Charlie (Logan Lerman). In exchange for those touching scenes, fans had to give up parts of the book that were not as emphasized. Such as Charlie’s sister, Candance (Nina Dobrev), struggling to understand that she deserves better than her abusive boyfriend. Even so, this coming of age film showcased to watchers that even a kid on the outside can find their place. And that sometimes being the wallflower, can help you better understand yourself.
One key aspect that is discussed is, who is the wallflower? In the book, it would be a safe assumption to say it is Charlie. But, the movie tells a different tale. The role of the wallflower is shared amongst the majority of the characters. Each took some time away from the group. Or, they were not as active. In that time they were able to observe others and reflect upon themselves. Amazing revelations emerged from that. Which viewers see through Sam, Patrick and even Mary Elizabeth. Charlie was not mentioned because that year of revelations was for him to become less of a wallflower and more of an active person. Charlie already understood how to find himself by being on the outside, that’s how he got to this point. Yet, he did not know how to find himself through participation. That was a problem outlined in the book and the movie. Chboksy showcased Charlie’s advancement with this, through his “one on one” scenes. Some of this growth can be credited to his friends’ close eyes on him. Charlie was no longer able to slip away or hang out by the walls, where he would be forgotten. He was now placed in intimate settings with likewise conversations. He now had to share his thoughts with another. For instance, when Charlie spent time with Mary Elizabeth. He began to float back to a different time that he was not able to, on his own. It was through this that Charlie was able to live the trauma of his aunt for the last time and now begin to work through it.
There were many more breakthroughs that Charlie experienced, but none were like Sam’s. Emma Watson's portrayal of Sam is notable on its own. Viewers saw how Hermione, from her Harry Potter days, finally blossomed into this amazing actor and person. In her previous films she would always play the role of the character to the hilt. But in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, it is clear how Emma is finally putting her own touch into her work. I don’t believe there is anyone that could have played this role better. Sam struggled with giving too much of herself to everyone and receiving too little in return. This starts from her freshman year when she made a bad reputation for herself at parties. To her senior year when her boyfriend, who she adored, was cheating on her. She gave it her all, but it was never enough. If Chbosky realized this, and casted Emma because of her similar experiences, then this must be one of the greatest castings.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a timeless film. The exclusion of issues that only relate to a certain time was a flawless idea. And one that will have viewers watching this twenty years in the future and calling it a classic.
