One of the latest Indie films, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, hit the theater captivating teens with real life relatable scenarios. Director Stephen Chbosky, who directed films like Rent and Jericho, made sure that the film took into account the realism and intensity of a teenager’s life. Actors including Logan Lerman playing Charlie, and Ezra Miller playing Patrick also kept the film lively as Patrick teaches Charlie how to socialize in the real world. And with Emma Watson’s (playing Sam) flirtatious character, the film is nothing less than a typical high school film.
The 15-year-old rather introverted student, Charlie, finds difficulty making friends as he enters high school. His only best friend had committed suicide recently, and his venture to discover the people who mean something to him takes a toll. Shortly thereafter, Charlie meets two seniors: Sam and Patrick, who change his life. The seniors take Charlie in as their new addition, and introduce him to their ring of friends. Only memories and emotions begin to grow within Charlie as he realizes his true feelings for Sam. But knowing that those feelings couldn’t rise to the surface due to reality’s circumstances, Charlie is put into a situation in which he has to date Sam’s close friend, Mary Elizabeth. Only after confessing to Mary Elizabeth his feelings towards Sam in front of all their friends, Sam and the group turn their backs on Charlie. Not only is Charlie devastated from the fact that the people he loved turned their backs on him again, but a particular childhood regarding his aunt also haunts his everyday life. Clearly the traumatic experience makes him go mentally insane, but what truly happened on his childhood Christmas day? And as these senior friends all leave to college, what is left for Charlie?
This film portrays the life of highschoolers who cherish and create the most memorable experiences of their lives but have to part as they lead their respective lives in college. However, the strong bond of friendship sustains despite the distance. Perks of Being a Wallfloweris a beautiful piece that truly articulates the bitter sweet lives of individuals that find their place again to lead a new and better lifestyle. And with films like these, high school students or any viewer can relate back to their lives and ponder about their lives contently and fondly.
