 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
- Review Date: September 18, 2012
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2012
Common Sense Media says
Book-based drama for mature teens tackles tough subjects.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that The Perks of Being a Wallflower (based on the same-named book by Stephen Chbosky) is an edgy, moving, and layered coming-of-age dramedy that's frank about the troubles and exploits of teenagers. You see them fret over their futures, push back against parental intervention, drink, make out, and use drugs. One girl also blithely jokes about being bulimic. Expect to see couples (both same- and opposite-sex) making out, teens bullying each other, and plenty of swearing. There's also a big reveal about a major, tragic trauma. Harry Potter's Emma Watson co-stars, but this is a much more mature role for her than Hermione.
What's the story?
Charlie (Logan Lerman) is starting high school, a momentous and fairly joyous occasion ... if not for the fact that his best friend killed himself months before, and Charlie himself is recovering from a breakdown of sorts. It's a scary situation, until he befriends Patrick (Ezra Miller), a charismatic, openly gay senior whose biggest heartache is that his closeted boyfriend refuses to acknowledge their relationship in public. Patrick's step-sister, Sam (Emma Watson), a sweet girl saddled with an unfair reputation, takes to Charlie, too -- and vice versa. Together they navigate the treacherous waters of high school with some success, until Charlie is forced to face his past again.
Is it any good?
Watch out for Logan Lerman. If his work in THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER is any indication, he's that rare young actor who can carry the weight of complex emotions without reducing them to tics that are too often the actorly shorthand for teenage alienation. As Charlie, Lerman is fantastic and sympathetic -- key for a film of this make. We believe his diffidence, we understand his fear. The same can be said (to a slightly lesser extent) for both Watson, who's passionate and forceful as Sam in a way that she wasn't -- or couldn't be -- as Hermione Granger, and Miller, who has made a cottage industry out of playing vulnerable, eccentric characters (which is admirable, but it would be great to see what he could do playing a quieter role).
Author Stephen Chbosky directed this adaptation of his book, and the movie bears the imprint of his careful hands. But it feels strangely modern for a story set in the early 1990s (the cultural references say as much), and Charlie's stunning revelation in the end is hurried, and so doesn't stun as much as it should. The parents, too, feel like afterthoughts, confusing given the caliber of actors playing them (Dylan McDermott, for one). But on the whole, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a gem, and certainly not a wallflower to ignore.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about how the movie depicts teens. Are the characters and their decisions realistic? What about the consequences of those decisions?
How does the movie portray drinking and drug use? Are they glamorized? If you've read the book, how does the movie's take on these subjects compare?
How does the movie depict bullying? What should teens do if that happens to them? What should they do if they see it happening to someone else?
Parents, ask your teens about the sense of alienation that the movie suggests teenagers have. Are real teens this disaffected and disillusioned?
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- Teens & kids
Teen, 14 years old
September 29, 2012
AGE
Fantastic Film with Mature Subject Matters
I thought that this movie was fantastic! They left some stuff out from the book, but it was really well done and well acted, especially Ezra Miller :) there was a lot of heavy topics in this movie, including abuse and child molestation (several cases). There is a fight between Patrick and Brad after they get caught together, and there drugs and alcohol are used often at their parties. Sex and sexual content is another thing to worry about. Overall, I think that it's OK for some 12 or 13 aged kids, but it really depends on there maturity. I think that at age 14 though, you should be able to handle it and really quite enjoy it! Hope this helps.
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Parent of 10 and 12 year old
October 9, 2012
AGE
Right on Time for my 7th grader!
I have not read the book, but just took my mature 12 (13 next month) year old to see this tonight hoping to generate some conversation about what to expect in the next few years ...And, of course, how to manage those situations.
I'm happy to say that it worked like a charm! The movie introduced teen interpersonal relationships (both hetero and homosexual), the power of friendship, the effect of drugs (for the average teen, we're not talking Go Ask Alice here) and alcohol on your judgement. It also showed how lonely all teeneagers are when they're alone with their thoughts.
We've already had a great conversation on the drive home from the theater, and I'm hoping to have a couple more of the coming days. Lots of these topics are RIGHT ON TIME for my 7th grade kid. So glad I took him to see it!
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Teen, 14 years old
October 5, 2012
AGE
Inspiring
This was probably the most inspiring movie I have ever seen. It had such a good massage about being who you are and really made ne think. Loved it.
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Teen, 14 years old
October 7, 2012
AGE
Finally a Good Adaptation
This movie was so well done. It was never too inappropriate or too cheesy. It makes you laugh it makes you wanna cry it makes you realize how great life is. Watch it!
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Adult
October 18, 2012
AGE
Great realistic High School Angst movie for teens and parents.
A psychologist friend brought her family (ages 12, 10, and 8) to this movie, raved about it, and said all her friends should bring their kids to see this movie. On a whim, a girlfriend and I went to see it last night, and i am SO GLAD I didn't bring my boys 11 and 10. it's a GREAT movie, and should be seen by teens - but I don't think it is appropriate for junior high schoolers and younger. GREAT movie vehicle to open communication with your kids about bullying, homosexuality, sex, bulimia, molestation, and much more.
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Parent of 12 year old
October 21, 2012
AGE
Trailer Misleads -- This is a Troubling, Sordid Tale
If you want to take your child to see a movie about child molestation, pot brownies, acid trips, suicide, mental illness, disconnected parents and gay stereotypes, then this would be a good film for you. Yeah, the relationship between the 3 main characters is a decent example of friendship, but overall this movie is full of forced, gratuitous and, ultimately valueless, drama. Was hoping for stuff to talk about with my middle school daughter, instead I just wanted to hit 'delete' on 2 hours of wasted time. A big letdown...
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Teen, 14 years old
October 20, 2012
AGE
WOW!
This was an incredible movie. It was very moving and emotional. It might not be good for younger kids because some of the topics are a little overwhelming and mature but other than that it was great. You know what your child can and can't handle.It shows that everyone wants to be special and fit in. I loved it! :)
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Teen, 14 years old
October 19, 2012
AGE
Phenomenal, heart warming movie truly impresses
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Teen, 14 years old
October 23, 2012
AGE
And in this moment I swear we are infinite.
The perks of being a wallflower is honestly the best movie I've seen all year. It stuck very closely to the book, all the characters fit their roles very well. It's a perfect movie for anyone starting High School. 5 Stars for Steven Chbosky's The Perks of being a Wallflower.
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Teen, 16 years old
October 28, 2012
AGE
Perfection
This movie was amazing! I was surprise of how close the movie was to the book. I went with my family to watch the movie. After seeing the movie we've became closer then ever. We brought up topics that we never talked about until the trip home from the theater. Open-minded people who never read the book or have would enjoy this movie as well.
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| Topics: | book characters |
| Studio: | Summit Entertainment |
| Director: | Stephen Chbosky |
| Cast: | Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Logan Lerman |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 103 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 21, 2012 |
| DVD release date: | February 12, 2013 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | mature thematic material, drug and alcohol use, sexual content including references, and a fight - all involving teens |
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