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 by), Stephen Chbosky (based on his book)

Stars:

Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller

19 wins & 50 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:

coming of age | high school | gay | mental illness | depression | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the film, all the characters called Mr. Anderson by his last name and his first name was never mentioned. In the book, his character was named Bill and his last name wasn't mentioned.

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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

Featured in MsMojo: Top 20 Teen Movies of the Century So Far (2020)

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Soundtracks

Dear God
Written by Andy Partridge
Performed by XTC
Courtesy of Virgin Records Ltd.
Under license from EMI Film & Television Music

User Reviews

Not Just a High School Movie

Went to an advance screening expecting your usual "shy kid in high school learns to stick up for himself" sort of feel-good drama. This movie is so much more than that - I was truly blown away by the mature themes and moving characters. Mental illness, sexual abuse, drugs and alcohol... I think the writer/screenwriter/director said it best in the Q+A after when he said it was a film that looked at the emotional aspects of that point in life without being sentimental. I really cared about these three teens - Charlie, Sam, and Patrick - and their story never felt cheesy. Just real, and moving, and touching. Go see this movie!

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Facebook (German)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 October 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Filming Locations:

Fort Pitt Tunnel, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$228,359, 23 September 2012

Gross USA:

$17,742,948

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$33,384,127

Company Credits

Production Co:

Summit Entertainment, Mr. Mudd

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1