Movie #742 ........................."The Perks of Being a Wallflower"

Movie #742 "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is based on a book I read, but don't remember much of it at all, except that I didn't really ilke it that much. Well, the movie I did like, so I guess this is one of those rare circumstances where the movie is a bit better than the book.....for me. The kids are all competent: Logan Lerman, the main guy, has the toughest character to get across because he has to be a little nerdy, a little confused and socially maladjusted, and yet universal so we follow his plight. He does a great job of all the traits, along with Emma Watson -- it isn't difficult to imagine he would fall in love with her and her energy. Ezra Miller plays the oddball, and my first reaction to him was - whoa! This guy is really stealing the movie, and then I looked up what his previous acting stints were, and to no surprise he played the disturbed Kevin in the film "We need to talk about Kevin." Mae Whitman has grown up before our eyes in movies and it's always fun to watch her (she's also from the t.v. show "Parenthood" where she also does a slam bang job) The story is very indie in its approach, so don't expect gobs and gobs of action --- it's a slice of life, but an important time to most of the students in the film who are seniors ---- all except the lead, who is experiencing his freshmen year amongst all of these older oddball kids who become his friends. A nice emotional story, with a surprise serious issue as its undertone. Made for a good watch. I'm not sure who would like it, though, because there's just enough sexual angst to make it not suitable for the 14-15 year olds who would probably get a lot out of it, since that's the age of the freshman lead --- I guess I'd recommend it mostly for the high schoolers, and mature freshmen. And any adults who don't mind watching about young adults in their rites of passage. The Perks of Being a Wallflower 2012 PG-13 103 minutes - I gave 4 stars out of 5. In this engaging coming-of-age tale based on the best-selling novel by Stephen Chbosky, a shy freshman struggling with depression deals with his best friend's suicide and his first love -- and finds help from two seniors who take an interest in him. Cast:Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Mae Whitman, Johnny Simmons, Nina Dobrev, Kate Walsh, Dylan McDermott, Paul Rudd, Melanie Lynskey, Joan Cusack Genre:Teen Dramas, Dramas Based on Contemporary Literature, 20th Century Period Pieces, Drama