“The Perks of Being a Wallflower†is an enjoyable coming-of-age film about an introverted high school freshman who is taken under the
wings of two seniors. An adaptation of the 1999 novel of the same title, the movie is narrated by 14-year-old Charlie, played by Logan Lerman, the titular “wallflowerâ€.
The film spans a year of high school, and is told through Charlie’s letters to an unnamed “Friendâ€. He writes down everything from his difficult first day of high school to his experiences with “The Rocky Horror Picture Show†to his first girlfriend and first heartbreak. Along the way Charlie deals with family problems, childhood trauma and friendship drama.
Fans of the novel won’t be disappointed, as the movie stays true to the story. Though there have been reservations about 20-year-old Lerman playing Charlie, he brings to life an awkward and relatable character. Emma Watson and Ezra Miller also give great performances as Charlie’s older friends Sam and Patrick who help Charlie grow from a shy wallflower to a happier person.
Overall, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower†is a charming teen drama that engages the audience from the very beginning.
