By Ethan Savel ’14, Staff Writer

I challenge you not to be moved by the Perks of Being a Wallflower. Written and directed by Stephen Chbosky, the author of the novel that inspired the motion picture adaptation, it seems that a little bit of everyone is represented in this film. The film spawns feelings that overwhelm viewers: feelings of togetherness, friendship, and love.

Chbosky has created characters that people root for, not underdogs or victims, but real, genuine, relatable people. The viewers truly want these small-town characters to succeed — bringing audiences to cheer more and more for them.

The film is narrated from the perspective of Charlie (Logran Lerman), a shy and introverted freshman. He befriends two seniors, Patrick (Ezra Miller), a rebellious gay teenager, and Sam (Emma Watson), a no-nonsense internally conflicted girl. Romance, relationships, family, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show embellish the story.  As a freshman, it would seem as if Charlie has hit the jackpot by finding these upperclassmen, but this film goes beyond the popular teen, high school movie cliché.  These friends have much deeper connections and as the film progresses, each of their skeletons and true identities bubble to the surface to bring them much closer.

[youtube n5rh7O4IDc0 The Perks of Being a Wallflower Official Trailer]

Chbosky does his best to maintain the idea that these kids are still in high school. He makes them true genuine people, without expansive vocabularies or sensational athletic abilities. The acting of Lerman, Watson, Miller, and Mae Whitman is fantastic, but Chbosky’s direction and editing steal the show. Chbosky’s patience in storytelling is effective and realistic in showing the intricacies of these characters. After all, when was the last time you met someone and within the first hour knew everything about them?

The drama of this story isn’t about love, sex, violence, or death.  It is about complex characters. Moreover, the film chronicles Charlie’s breakout from his wallflower cocoon due to the help of his newfound friends.  Strong supporting performances by Paul Rudd as Charlie’s English teacher, Dylan McDermott and Kate Walsh as Charlie’s parents, and Nina Dobrev as Charlie’s sister really enhance the film.

Being an avid fan of the book, my expectations were low for this film, afraid that they would botch it. I was emotionally touched by the film and certainly relieved with the beautiful transformation from a truly intricate piece of literature.  It exceeds the high school movie cliché and provides a new perspective on high school that has not yet been seen.  It is an absolutely phenomenal film.