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Movie Review: Find Out What 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' Truly Are

I was excited to go to Village Theatre Sunday night and watch The Perks of Being a Wallflower, written and directed by the author of the sensational novel, Stephen Chbosky. I had read the book in high school, and it reminded me of a modern day Catcher in the Rye, portraying a sensitive and disturbed adolescent. While converting books into rolling film sometimes fails to do the written work justice, The Perks of Being a Wallflower motion picture captures the true spirit of the novel, omitting very few details. A fellow movie-goer, who had not read the novel remarked, “I hope the book lives up to the movie.”

For those unfamiliar with the storyline, it follows the main character, Charlie, played by Logan Lerman, through his first turbulent year in high school. Charlie, a quiet introvert struggles to participate in his own life and to forget his troubling past. He finds his happiness in two seniors, Sam (Emma Watson) and Patrick (Ezra Miller), who accept him for who he is and invite him into their world. This story doesn’t follow the typical path of a coming-of-age, feel good movie; there is no unearned unhappiness for the characters met along the way. The Perks of Being a Wallflowerbalances the unparalleled angst and complicated emotions of a youth with the simplistic joys found in friendship and a drive with the perfect song playing. The film doesn’t just provide a walk down memory lane; it spirits you back to the roller coaster that is growing up, the bad along with the good. While the film does uncover some jolting and uncomfortable moments, in the end you can’t help but rejoice with the main characters and feel “infinite”.