Wednesday, October 10, 2012

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Directed by Stephen Chbosky
Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller
Grade: B+ [79]

In a world of exaggerated, simplified archetypes in cinematic portrayals of high school, it’s thoroughly refreshing to watch a film whereby students are expressed as actual human beings. This is the case with ‘Wallflower,’ which, with the help of confident performances from Watson and Miller, and a knockout leading turn from Lerman, details the interdependence of friendship through the tentative, personal annals of self-worth. While it’s true that the film’s structure feels as if its burdened central character is being heaped upon (as well as the audience) the beautifully layered routes toward connection ingratiate this sprawling sense of 90s youth with “Dazed and Confused”-style incision. Films with this much feeling simply aren't made anymore.

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