The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Ted and I went to see ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower‘ yesterday. I really, really liked it. Here’s the quick wrap up, without giving anything away.

Charlie is a damaged and shy high school freshman, excluded from groups that he had hoped to be included in…his senior sister and her boyfriend won’t eat lunch with him, his friend from middle school friend won’t eat lunch with him, and his older brother’s football teammates won’t eat lunch with him. He’s on his own. On his first day, he makes only one friend, and that’s his English teacher, which even Charlie knows is pathetic.

Time goes by, and he finally makes a friend, Patrick from his shop class. Patrick has a step-sister, Sam, and the three of them soon become fast friends. From Patrick and Sam, he meets other friends, damaged kids like himself, and becomes part of a group. He’s thrilled to have a group of friends, people who he can care about, and who obviously care about him.

Charlie’s story turns out to be darker and more complicated than you get from your average teen movie, as are the stories of Patrick and Sam.  These kids are damaged goods, but so sweet and likable, you fall in love with them as a viewer.  I liked how real they seemed, how they were so true to themselves and to each other.  Most kids, I sure as hell hope, are not damaged like these kids.  But there’s something about the poignancy of teen life that FEELS damaged sometimes, even if your biggest problem is the boy you love at school who doesn’t know you exist.  It’s such a high emotion, high intensity, black and white time of life.   The actors did a great job, really bringing the emotions of their characters to the front, but in very subtle and quiet ways.

I’ve not read the book, but after seeing the movie, I went and put it on hold at the library.  I’m 125th on the list, so it might be awhile.