The Perks of Being a Wallflower - 10 stars out of 10

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - 10 stars out of 10

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is simply awesome.  Excellent storytelling, well-developed characters, and several magical moments make this one film that you just can't miss.  The original novel uses a series of letters from the main character to his best friend to tell his story and this adapted screenplay does an incredible job of bringing his story to the silver screen.  The story is a gritty chronicle of the social obstacles of high school.  From the highs to the lows, the main character goes through many relatable experiences as he finds his place within high school society: learning what true friendship is, discovering drugs, falling in love, and many other societal experiences, all while trying to cope with his past.  Although this is a teen drama, it appeals to adults because it is a higher quality than your typical teen drama and all of the experiences of the main characters will bring back nostalgic or painful memories.  The main draw of this film is the acting and delivery of dialogue.  Emma Watson sheds the Hermione stereotype with a dramatic and dynamic performance filled with emotion.  She develops the low self-worth of her character by exuding confidence through her actions and a need for acceptance through her eyes.  She will give you chills over and over again, particularly as she begins to take care of Charlie.  Logan Lerman plays Charlie and gives this character's social and emotional state a noticeable progression, all while visibly showing his baggage through the good times and the bad.  Ezra Miller gives Patrick that personality that makes him the type of guy that anybody would want to hang out with.  But even with these awesome performances, this film drew me in through its magical moments.  They are those moments that I experienced in high school or wish I had experienced.  Each of these poignant experiences are accompanied by dialogue that creates small moments of perfection, including the toast to Charlie, Watson's reaction to the Christmas card, the first kiss, and the goodbye.  "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is the complete package and few other films can create the realism contained in this tragic but uplifting story.