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Laramie Movie Scope:
The Perks of Being a Wallflower

As high school dramedies go, this is one of the best

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by Robert Roten, Film Critic
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November 5, 2012 -- The Perks of Being a Wallflower, based on a book of the same name is a funny, dramatic and very moving tale of three high school students who are emotionally damaged outsiders, but who unite with others to form a small circle of supportive, life-sustaining friendships.

This profound story of love and friendship is apparently fiction, but it sure comes across with the power of a true story. It seems a lot truer to me than some based-on-fact movies like “Argo.” The film is supported by three outstanding performances by Emma Watson (of the “Harry Potter” movies) as Sam, Logan Lerman (“Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief”) as Charlie and Ezra Miller (“We Need to Talk about Kevin”) as Sam's brother, Patrick.

Sam and Charlie have psychological problems dating back to childhood, while Patrick is gay and is in a secret relationship with a football star, Brad (Johnny Simmons of “21 Jump Street”). When Charlie, the film's main character, admits to Sam that his best friend committed suicide the year before, Sam decides to bring him in to her small circle of friends, including her brother and Mary Elizabeth (Mae Whitman of “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World”). She calls this group “The Island of Misfit Toys.”

This island of friends has its ups and downs during high school and each of them goes through a crisis or two, but they support each other through the tough times. Throughout this school year, Charlie, who is shy and secretive, begins to blossom and open up with the help of his new friends. He loves Sam, but cannot open up to her. He gets into a pointless, one-sided romance with Mary Elizabeth until she finds out the truth about Charlie's feelings for Sam. The pain he causes Elizabeth leads to his temporary banishment from The Island of Misfit Toys.

Things finally come to a head as Charlie, Sam and Patrick all have to face their problems head on. Charlie, who has the most severe emotional issues of the group, is very reluctant to face the problems from his past. He is nearly destroyed by them until he seeks counseling from a kindly psychologist, Dr. Burton (Joan Cusack of “The School of Rock”). The truth behind Charlie's problems is revealed a little at a time during the movie as the psychological layers are peeled back.

The movie is a testament to the power of love and friendship. Thankfully, it doesn't dwell on the subject of suicide, drugs, alcohol and other self-destructive behaviors. It is more about how even people who seem fragile can find strength within, with a lot of help from their friends. This film rates an A.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in digital formats, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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Copyright © 2012 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.
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Robert Roten can be reached via e-mail at my last name at lariat dot org. [Mailer button: image of letter and envelope]

(If you e-mail me with a question about this or any other movie or review, please mention the name of the movie you are asking the question about, otherwise I may have no way of knowing which film you are referring to)