Molly Carl
Staff Writer

Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller star in the film adaptation.

“Welcome to the Island of Misfit Toys.”
In 1999, author Stephen Chbosky wrote the book “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.”
Recently, this book has become somewhat of a cult classic, and even more recently was made into a movie.
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” stars Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller as Charlie, Sam, and Patrick, respectively, with Paul Rudd as Bill Anderson.
“Perks” is a coming-of-age story told through a series of letters written by Charlie to an unidentified friend over the course of his freshman year of high school.
Set in 1991 through 1992, it is a timeless story of growing up and struggling to discover yourself, intermingled with the angst of teenage life and love, and the constant battle to “fit in”.
If you have not read the book and are simply looking for a feel-good movie, you could not find a better choice.
For anyone who is a fan of the novel, however, you will not be disappointed by this cinematic rendition.
The casting could not have been more spot-on, the soundtrack was incredible, and as the icing on the cake, the movie was both written and directed by none other than the author, Chbosky, himself.
Logan Lerman (of TV’s Jack and Bobby, and The Three Musketeers) was flawless as Charlie, conveying the perfect blend of awkwardness and innocence. Ezra Miller (We Need to Talk About Kevin) could not have been a better Patrick, demonstrating the very model of a teenage boy who is unafraid to love with his whole heart.
Paul Rudd (I Love You, Man and Role Models), who played Bill Anderson, the English Teacher, was sheer perfection.
His character represented that one teacher in high school who stood out above all of the rest. Finally, if it weren’t for the Harry Potter series, I would make the bold claim that her role as Sam is a career topping role for Emma Watson.
Her rough, somewhat punk style combined with the heart-on-her-sleeve mindset of Sam, was a completely different role from the nerdy Hermione Granger that we are used to, yet was impeccable nonetheless.
If you wish to see “Perks,” the only theater in the Lancaster area playing it is Penn Cinema on Litiz Pike off of Route 30.
Since the movie hit theaters at the end of September, the show times are limited, but it is well worth rearranging your schedule to see.
Critic Roger Moore praises Perks, calling it “the Breakfast Club for the new millennium,” and I 100% agree with his statement.
I give this movie a solid 9.5 out of 10 on the sole belief that perfection is unattainable. However, this movie comes about as close to perfection as any I have ever seen.
The movie, as well as the book, is timeless classics that will speak to any and every generation, and inspire and move almost anyone. “Perks” is, in a word, infinite.