With the adaptation of his bestselling young-adult novel “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” writer/director Stephen Chbosky has crafted a beautiful, sensitive and often heartbreaking film. What makes this impressive coming-of-age drama resonate — for viewers of any age — is that it gets teenage life right. More than deftly capturing the dynamics of cliques and bullies, and the way kids act around parents and teachers, Chbosky also accurately presents the way teens, who tend to overdramatize their every emotion, speak. The author-turned-filmmaker also depicts poignantly, and without judgment, how teens experiment with drinking and drugs, as well as romantic and sexual desires.
Charlie (Logan Lerman) is about to enter his first day of high school — 1,385 days to graduation, he counts. He has had a troubled summer and, while he hopes to have something of a fresh start in school, he is inclined to stay as invisible as possible.
Charlie’s loneliness changes, however, when he meets Patrick (Ezra Miller), an outspoken senior taking freshman woodshop. Patrick, who is gay and having a secret relationship with football player Brad (Johnny Simmons), takes Charlie under his wing. He introduces Charlie to his stepsister, Sam (Emma Watson), and other members of their clique, affectionately dubbed “the island of misfit toys.” Soon, Charlie is going to midnight shows of “Rocky Horror,” and each character experiences a personal, often romantic, crisis that tests them and their friendship.
While “Wallflower” is Charlie’s story, out actor Ezra Miller gets a juicy supporting role. Miller, who gave a breakthrough performance in “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” shines in “Wallflower.” He camps it up as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the “Rocky Horror” scenes and adroitly conveys Patrick’s pain when his character suffers romantic setbacks.
The ingratiating actor spoke to PGN about being queer, playing gay and the perks of (not) being a wallflower.
PGN: You play a gay teen in “Wallflower,” and you have played a queer teen before in “Every Day.” You also just came out publicly. Do you feel a resonance with characters like Patrick? EM: I don’t think there is any role like Patrick. This felt like an especially rare, once-in-a lifetime role to play — a person who is that much of a hero, but also a conceivable, real kid. I definitely love to play any character that was written with as much depth and dimension.
PGN: Had you read the book before you considered playing Patrick? EM: Yes, for years before it was a character that could be played! I had this big imaginary story firmly in my head, which was outstanding and incredibly helpful for molding a part. I’ve read it seven times between age 14 and when I left high school, rendering the book less necessary. I was cultivating an idea of Patrick in my head, not knowing that I could actually accomplish that vision, or have any say in it.
PGN: What were you like in high school? EM: I was a failed extrovert. I never had the patience or restraint to keep my head down when it would have been advisable — to avoid getting scapegoated or ostracized. Even the wallflower tactic — the perks are mostly expendable. You can dodge bullets if you keep your mouth shut, but I can’t.
PGN: Were you often called “faggot,” as Patrick is in the film? How did you react? EM: Constant bombardment! It’s intense to look at the etymology of words like that. At a point, I felt “faggot” went from having my feelings hurt to a feeling of condescension. I became the annoying LGBT police against words like “gay” and “faggot,” asking, “What are you taking about? Where do you base that word?” Not the best move for avoiding trouble. If someone can have courage to step up to people who use poisonous words, like “faggot” and “gay,” to show the emotional effects of how it hurts you, sometimes gaps of hatred and bigotry can be bridged.
PGN: In the film, you got to perform the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” stage show. What can you say about your experience with “Rocky Horror”? EM: My older sister showed “Rocky Horror” to us when I was eight when she was babysitting us. It was like having my mind blown open in so many different directions. I’ve gone to floor shows. When I got this part, I went to the floor show in Chelsea and Pittsburgh. Each community is insane, and unique and amazing. It was great fun for us dorky actors to step into that totally devoted world.
