The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

An introvert freshman is taken under the wings of two seniors who welcome him to the real world.

Director:

Stephen Chbosky

Writers:

Stephen Chbosky (screenplay), Stephen Chbosky (book)

Stars:

Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller

19 wins & 46 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Logan Lerman	...	Charlie
Dylan McDermott	...	Father
Kate Walsh	...	Mother
Patrick de Ledebur	...	Senior Bully
Johnny Simmons	...	Brad
Brian Balzerini	...	Linebacker
Tom Kruszewski	...	Nose Tackle
Nina Dobrev	...	Candace
Nicholas Braun	...	Ponytail Derek
Julia Garner	...	Susan
Ezra Miller	...	Patrick
Tom Savini	...	Mr. Callahan
Emily Marie Callaway	...	Mean Freshman Girl (as Emily Callaway)
Paul Rudd	...	Mr. Anderson
Chelsea Zhang	...	Shakespeare Girl

Storyline

Based on the novel written by Stephen Chbosky, this is about 15-year-old Charlie (Logan Lerman), an endearing and naive outsider, coping with first love (Emma Watson), the suicide of his best friend, and his own mental illness while struggling to find a group of people with whom he belongs. The introvert freshman is taken under the wings of two seniors, Sam and Patrick, who welcome him to the real world.

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Plot Keywords:

mental illness | coming of age | high school | gay | first love | 

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Taglines:

We accept the love we think we deserve.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 on appeal for mature thematic material, drug and alcohol use, sexual content including references, and a fight - all involving teens

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Facebook (German)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 October 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Vielleicht lieber morgen

Filming Locations:

Fort Pitt Tunnel, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$228,359 (USA) (21 September 2012)

Gross:

$17,738,570 (USA) (1 February 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Summit Entertainment, Mr. Mudd

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In an interview with Movieline, Ezra Miller said that he first saw The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) when his older sister showed it to him as a young kid. At the end of the movie, his sister turned the TV off and said, 'you can't tell mom and dad'.

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Goofs

If the movie does take place during the '91/'92 school year, the song "Low" by Cracker that plays as they enter Charlie's first party wasn't recorded or released until 1993.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Charlie: [voice-over] Dear Friend. I am writing to you because she said you listen and understand and didn't try to sleep with that person at that party even though you could have. Please don't try to figure out who I am. I don't want you to do that. I just need to know that people like you exist. Like if you met me you wouldn't think I was the weird kid who spent time in the hospital. And I wouldn't make you nervous. I hope it's okay for me to think that. You see, I haven't really talked to...

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Connections

References Night of the Living Dead (1968)

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Soundtracks

Bust a Move
Written by Matt Dike, Luther Rabb, Marvin Young, and Jim Walters
Performed by Marvin Young (as Young MC)
Courtesy of Delicious Vinyl

User Reviews

Very Well Done

I just saw the movie at the Pgh premiere and it was amazing. I was hoping I wouldn't be disappointed because I loved the book so much. The movie is very true to the book. A few things have been omitted or changed but it doesn't change the mood of the story. I think the casting choices were spot on. Emma Watson has a scene in which she tears up and cries and it was amazing. I also appreciate how Chbosky made the parents thoughtful people, unlike most teen comedies. I am definitely going to see this movie again because there was so much to take in. Very well done.

It's also lovely to see my hometown as the backdrop. Pgh is a beautiful city and coming out of the Fort Pitt tunnels into the city is an experience that isn't quite captured well enough in the film. It's still a powerful scene and I teared up watching it.