THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER

RYAN: As a huge Harry Potter fan, I was primarily looking forward to this movie as the first film role for Hermione Granger, post Potter.

CAROLINE: It’s also the debut of her American accent!  And I was interested to see it because of the kid from We Need To Talk About Kevin, who co-stars.

RYAN: To me, Emma is the first of many good things about this movie.  Her American accent is impeccable.  She’s so not Hermione in this!

CAROLINE: Yes, I never watched her thinking, “Oh, there’s Hermione!”  And she’s just so cute.

RYAN: She’s gorgeous.  I really do like her.  This is written and directed by Stephen Chbosky, the guy who wrote the book this film is adapted from.  So you know it has to be a faithful adaptation. 

CAROLINE: I wasn’t sure what to expect from this movie. I liked the trailer fine, but it seemed a little precious, or like it was trying to hard to be a movie about the “alt” kids in high school.  But I really loved it.  They’re saying it’s “The Breakfast Club” for this generation, which I can totally see.  It kinda makes me want to read the book too; this author/director came up with some crazy stuff.

RYAN: He seems really sweet in all of the interviews I’ve seen.  And apparently it’s a personal story for him.  I really connected with this movie, totally identified with it.

CAROLINE: I didn’t in the sense that I wasn’t a wallflower in high school, but I definitely understood where it was coming from.  It captures the drama of high school perfectly.

RYAN: It so completely took me back to high school and that time and since it takes place in the ’90s, when I was in high school, it really was, almost cathartic to watch.

CAROLINE: Oh?  Did this one get you?   Didja cry during it or was it just me?

RYAN: No but I certainly got misty. It covers some bullying and coming out issues and first love and it’s actually quite a potent and powerfully moving film.

CAROLINE: I’m with you.  I was surprised at how much it moved me.  And it goes to a darker place than I thought it would.

RYAN: Terrific.  I really like the lead guy, Logan Lerman.  He’s very good and really likable.  He kind of reminds me a bit of Aaron Taylor-Johnson in an innocent Kick Ass sort of way.  Ezra Miller gives a supporting-actor-worthy performance but he seems really crazy in all the promo interviews he’s done.

CAROLINE: He does seem quite… artistic.  This role is so different from how he was in We Need To Talk About Kevin, but I thought he played it really well.  He was very believable.

RYAN: There’s also Dylan McDermott and Kate Walsh and Nina Dobrev in small roles.  I like them all and it was great seeing them. 

CAROLINE: Don’t forget Joan Cusack in a tiny role at the end, and my boyfriend Paul Rudd as the English teacher. I can’t get enough of him.

RYAN: It’s really one of the best, or actually it is the best teen movie since John Hughes.

CAROLINE: I’m inclined to agree.  When I first heard about The Breakfast Club comparisons, I was like, “Come on, there’s no way.” But after seeing this, I’d say it’s a pretty apt comparison.  And it was fun that it took place in the 90s.  I had forgotten that until everyone started passing around mix tapes!

RYAN: This really is up there with The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, etc… the music, the story arc, that time in our lives.  It’s packed with sentiment and heart.  There’s one line, in particular, repeated a few times that really struck a chord with me.  It’s a meaningful movie because of that alone.

CAROLINE: I believe I know the line you’re referring too, and it’s a good one.

RYAN: There’s also a really fun dance moment for Emma that was cute.  It’s not often we can see movies about teens and feel like we’re connecting with them.  This movie does that.  I felt like that age.  It made it fresh again instead of leaving me nostalgic or, like, “I’m too old for this.”

CAROLINE: Totally!  It does bring you back rather than make you feel like you can’t relate anymore.

— BOTTOM LINE —

CAROLINE: I really loved this movie.  The acting was great and the story is gripping and so well told.  Of course, everyone in the cast looks way too old to be in high school, but whatever; it’s a must-see for people in their teens through 40s.

RYAN: This is an instant classic among the coming of age, teenager-set, movies.  It’s super poignant and touching.  I highly recommend.