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Logan Lerman (from the Percy Jackson movies) stars as Charlie in this coming-of-age drama/romance about a socially awkward high school boy who finds solace among the 'freaks' while overcoming a past trauma that left him hospitalized. Emma Watson (Hermione from Harry Potter) and Ezra Miller co-star as Sam and Patrick, Charlie's newfound friends. Together, the trio bond over music and star in a production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show -- very much the counter-culture sort of kids. Things go swimmingly until Charlie starts to fall for Sam, and Patrick's secret relationship with a member of the football team is exposed to the whole school. As these and other dramatic entanglements threaten to destroy his new friendships, Charlie also begins having painful flashbacks surrounding the death of an aunt.

The ticking time bomb throughout The Perks of Being a Wallflower is the fact that all these kids are seniors and that this is likely the last year they’ll ever be together. It gives an even greater urgency and importance to their interactions. Elements of the story could easily slip into grand melodrama, but writer/director Stephen Chbosky (based on his novel) does a remarkable job keeping the material grounded and believable.

I was very moved by the film. It made me recall my own adolescent challenges and how my own Sam and Patrick were there to help me through it all. While so many other teen flicks wallow in sarcasm and superficiality, The Perks of Being a Wallflower aims for truth and genuine emotion. It’s great to see high-school aged characters treated seriously for a change.

With Paul Rudd, Joan Cusack, Dylan McDermott, and Tom Savini.