"We Accept the Love We Think We Deserve"
Perks of Being a Wallflower is a lovely little coming of age dramedy by writer-director Stephen Chbosky, based on the novel of the same name. It regards three central characters: Charlie (Logan Lerman), Patrick (Ezra Miller), and Sam (Emma Watson). Charlie is a freshman, recovering from the recent suicide of his best friend as well as dealing with various mental issues. Patrick is a senior, rarely taking anything seriously, and looking at life through a glass of optimism. Sam is his step-sister, also a senior, and eventually the love interest of Charlie.
The film strikes numerous correct tones; it is dramatized accuracy of the travails and uncertainties of being a teenager, growing up, and falling in love. When Charlie finally goes on a date for the first time, and subsequently forms a relationship (somewhat against his will), the screenplay by Chbosky is startling accurate to the feelings that arise when someone likes us far more than we like them. Charlie's a nice guy, a very nice guy. He doesn't have the heart to break up with her. In one of the film's funnier moments, he comments that he's "ashamed to admit he's tired of touching her boobs." But this is accurate; he is in love with Sam, and when affection is given that you don't reciprocate, it can be draining. Lerman (3:10 to Yuma, Meet Bill) is excellent in his role as the quiet, shy, reserved, innocent teenage high school student with no friends (at the beginning of the film).
Soon, he is taken under the wing of Sam and Patrick. Patrick, played by Ezra Miller, is one of the film's most unique, dynamic, and fascinating characters, stealing every scene he's in. He seems to have the wisdom of someone much older, but often the behavior of a six year old. He's one of those guys who knows how to be serious when necessary, but the rest of the time, why not have fun? Miller does a fantastic job with a role, playing a character who is essentially a complete 180 from the titular sociopathic high school student he played in last year's fantastic We Need to Talk About Kevin. Here has a flamboyance and energy that few actors could convey quite the same. Emma Watson, likewise, breaks her decade long role of Hermoine and brings a sweet tenderness to the screen, befriending Charlie and treating him very well.
Paul Rudd plays a small but crucial role as Charlie's English teacher, who gives him books to read in his spare time. When Charlie asks him why some people like other people that aren't good enough for them, Rudd, in probably the film's finest insight, replies "we accept the love we think we deserve." Why do so many girls love guys that treat them horribly? I believe what he said is accurate.
Charlie makes friends and his friends love him. Why not? He's a sincere, sweet, nice guy. And along the way, Charlie finds love, encounters the pitfalls of love, makes mistakes, has fun, and ultimately grows. This is a splendid definition of a "coming-of-age film." We all grow up eventually, and along the way we get hurt. If it weren't for the bad times, there wouldn't be any great times.
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