Film & Book Reviews by Ashley S.

October 1, 2024

Young adult literature does not always get the grace it deserves. Perks of being a wallflower is one of those books that you can re read a bunch of times and you always get the same warm feelings. One of my favorite things about this novel is that it is specifically an epistolary novel. This is a diary style format that feels personal and deep, bringing you even closer to the character. Trust me when I say that I’ve felt such heartened emotion. Charlie, played by Logan Lerman, is a shy and unconventional kid that seems to be pulled out of his shell when he becomes friends with the older kids in the HS. Charlie is someone that the reader can get close to, he is personally indemnified to meander through the same mountains that keep getting steeper and steeper. In this review I will be speaking from both the perspective of the film and novel simultaneously.

This coming-of-age novel written by the great Stephen Chbosky was smoothly transitioned into a moving image. He himself directed the picture, which makes it even more amazing. Usually you see authors turned execs in films based on their books. I found that it is a rarity when we find films based on books and it is an accurate representation (We can talk about others like this). To the foundation, Charlie navigates as a freshman in HS and finds friendships in the most unlikely characters. The reader can witness Charlie as he indulges in new things and feels seen for the first time. I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all experienced the true love of friendship and how that type of harmony can make you feel like you’re on top of the world. Being in high school is a world wind and it is a time where we are all so vulnerable.

Friendships play a big role and makes a significant impact on Charlie. Patrick, played by Ezra Miller, embraces an eccentric personality that brings out confidence. Apart from being queer, Patrick was the ally that extended forth his friendship to Charlie and this birthed a new journey. Sam, played by Emma Watson, is a beautiful warm girl that is the mere embodiment of softness. Charlie is drawn to her because he sees her as the first woman that he feels attracted to. The thing is that, Charlie is special. He isn’t just this shy, dumb kid. Charlie carries strength and intelligence, filled with song and worry. The reader can engage personally this way and get the feelings directly from the character. I often find myself relating to Charlie because of how easy it is to lose yourself. We often find that we cannot simply lose ourselves, but become de-centered within our soul alignment. I think Charlie’s character teaches us that life is about the present moment and loving every minute of it. Even if that means you’re writing every day to someone that you’ve never met.

One of my favorite relationships of Charlie’s is with Mr. Anderson. Now, this is his English teacher who enjoys feeding his love for literature. Mr. Anderson, played by Paul Rudd, sees Charlie past all the visible awkwardness. I enjoy that he was someone that Charlie could rely on to give him new ideas, new words, new worlds. We don’t often consider the impact that a good teacher has on us. Someone that you can see actually cares about you and wants to make an impact on your life (positively). In a way, he was Charlie’s rock that brought him to the present moment and reminded him that he mattered the most.

In the end, Charlie reaches a heightened sense of self and is instantly knocked off of a cloud. As the reader, I found myself completely en-thrusted into his life, a mere bystander praying I could help him. We must remember to be kind to each other. We all share the same world.