So I finally watched The Perks of Being a Wallflower and I am in awe. It was such a genuinely amazing movie, so moving and funny and awkward. It perfectly captured the glories and trials of high school and being a teenager that I found myself almost missing high school a little. Not a lot, but I had a few heartfelt twinges of nostalgia for my teen years. There are so many things I wish I had experience in high school. I wish I had taken more chances and been more wild and free. I was always holed up at home with a book, which isn't bad, but it leads to some sheltered high school years. Now, before I go overboard with feelings ralated to my adolescence, let's talk about why this movie is awesome.
The friends in this movie are amazing. I envy the portrayal of friendship in this movie. It's not perfect, which is why it is so perfect, really. I wish I had a sibling that I created dance routines with in the living room, I wish I had a solid group of friends that I want to be with every waking moment, I wish I had such a group of friends that stayed out late and let the drama unfold, because I feel alive when I'm with those kind of friends. I have a best friend I can always count on, I have a boyfriend who I love to death, but sometimes I find myself reminiscing about nights sitting up listening to music, laughing, talking, yelling over each other with drinks in hand, sitting out on a stoop for a cigarette break and never letting the conversation end. I miss nights of making up secret treasure hunts, of talking about how amazing that one band is )always, because they can do no wrong) and long nighttime walks that last forever.
And the drama. Girl puh-lease, I was on the edge of my seat the whole movie. I think my heart literally stopped at one point near the end (spoiler alert) when Charlie was on the phone with his sister in a manic state, and then the camera focused in on the knife and I swear I nearly yelled "Don't do it!" at my computer screen, but it's midnight so I gotta be courteous and not scream. The rush of relief when Charlie was still alive was unreal. Seriously.
And the elation when Charlie and Sam finally get to be together. This movie is so quatable too. "I want to make sure the first person who kisses you loves you very much" (forgive me if I misplaced a few words there.) The romance is practically tangible, and so fully swoon worthy. I was heartbroken when Sam went off to college, leaving her life behind for new adventures, but I'm glad it turned out that way. Any other writer might have had Sam giving up her college acceptance letter for the sake of young love, but we still see that Sam and Charlie are together through the first few months of college. That's what happens in real life. This movie just felt so authentic, so true to, you know, a normal nonfiction human life. How could I not feel so many feelz?
Anyway, I'm bouncing around with happiness because this movie is amazing. The word
infinite is an amazing word to describe a feeling. It doesn't feel like I'm going to life forever and never die and have a perfect life, it just feels enormous. It's not just about me, it's about everything, everything is infinite. "And in that moment, I swear we were infinite." Embodying that feeling of infinite is just incredible. I just got so many feels from this movie that I can't even begin to describe, but I found myself smiling so much and laughing and coming close to tears. The range of emotion this movie got out of me is incredible.
But anyway, enough of my ramblings. Go watch this lovely movie, you won't regret it, I promise. In the meantime, I'll be reading the book.
