Monday, April 1, 2013

Movie Monday


For someone wanting to be a storyteller, I'm awfully bad about taking in other stories. Not only do I need to take them in, but when I come across one that really touches me, I need to study them. What about them did I like? How did the author, writer/director convey that thing that touched me? Etc., etc., etc....

In an effort to increase my storytelling intake as well as to just be entertained and absorb culture/pop culture, I'm going to watch a movie I've never seen before and share it with you here. I'll only be doing this every other week, so each Monday, following Fort Worth Friday, I'll have some thoughts on a movie.

First up, The Perks of Being a Wallflower starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller. It is based on the critically acclaimed novel of the same name. In 2012, the film was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Film.


It's a quirky and oft-times dark film. The story begins on Charlie's first day of high school sometime in the early 90s. He is friendless since the suicide of his best friend. He has another secret, which he doesn't even know at this point, as his mind has blocked all memories of it. The film follows Charlie through his freshman year as he makes friends with a clique of outcasts (all seniors), falling in love with one of the girls who is as messed up as he is.

At the end of the movie/year, he and Sam finally connect and they begin kissing and start down the path towards having sex. The film doesn't make it clear whether or not they follow through (they don't according to the write-up in Wikipedia), but while the two are making out, if you will, Charlie's repressed memories are finally unlocked. After he says goodbye to Sam as she heads off to Penn State the following morning, the images begin coming at him.

Charlie ends up in a psychiatric facility for several months as the doctor works with him to overcome the emotional/physical trauma he suffered.

The film ends on an upbeat and hopeful note.

I smiled through most of the first third of the film and grew more anxious though the second third and was figuratively biting my nails at the big black moment.

I really, really enjoyed this movie and give it a 10 on my movie reel rating system.

If you've seen it, what did you think? If you haven't, do you think you might based on my description and thoughts?

2 comments:

Regina Richards said...

I haven't seen it, but I might. I'd have to be in a mood since I don't normally go for dramas. I'm mostly a romance, mystery, or action/adventure/thriller fan. But great review.

Unknown said...

I haven't seen this one yet, but I've heard good things. I'll have to add it to my queue.