Perspectives On The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

By Trilby Goouch

Blogs Editor

The Perks of Being A Wallflower is a must-see for those of you who witnessed or experienced bullying in high school. The movie is based on the best-selling book by Stephen Chbosky who also directed the film.

I haven’t read the book, but those who I watched the movie with said it portrayed the characters accurately for the most part.

The film had me smiling, laughing and crying, which was largely due to the connection I felt with the individual characters. The setting is so intimate that you feel like you really get to know each character.

These quirky wallflowers — victims of ruthless bullying — find strength in numbers, and prove that you can find happiness or friendship even when you don’t fit in with the majority. Unlike so many high school friendships that can be riddled with jealousy, competition or gossip, these fictional friendships are based on love and caring for one another. It’s as if their shared experiences of suffering as outcasts allowed them to form an incredible bond against it.

The main character, Charlie, played by Logan Lerman, has a very dark, complicated past to which the movie suggests almost pushed him over the edge. He’s one of those characters that you know would be given a hard time in high school for being quiet and sensitive, but when you watch him find himself within the group of wallflowers he develops into a fun, prominent figure in the group.

Sam, Emma Watson’s character, is one of those characters that at first glance I would generalize as a bit obnoxious, but as you get to know her you realize she too is incredibly kind and sweet. Charlie’s adoration puts the character on a pedestal in which everything she does, whether it be dancing at a party or driving through a tunnel with the wind blowing in her hair seems almost angelic.

My favourite character has to be Patrick, the flamboyant, eccentric and loving step-brother of Sam, played by Ezra Miller, that goes through high school being called “Nothing”, yet keeps his chin up and still manages to keep everyone laughing and smiling. Patrick is gay and in a relationship in which he isn’t allowed to show his affection or love in public, and his boyfriend joins in on the bullying out of a fear of losing his popular reputation. Despite this, Patrick keeps an enthusiastic, fun-loving front, leading the group on adventures and uniting the group as a whole.

The film does a great job at giving the ‘outsiders’ perspective, and emphasizes that being different doesn’t mean you have to suffer.

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