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I was completely surprised by this movie. I've always wanted this book to be made into a movie ever since I read it the summer before freshman year. Ever since then, the book has always had this lasting impact on me. Most of the things we're so relatable looking back at high school(I'm a freshman in college now). I was so worried that they were going to mess this up but, whatever worries I had subsided way before the end credits rolled. This is one of the best adaptations I've seen in a while and, if you haven't read the book, don't worry. Not only is this a sincere adaptation but, it's also funny, sad, heartfelt, and nostalgic(especially for those who attended high school during this time period).
I don't know where to start since I loved everything about this movie. I will admit, even though I'm giving this a perfect score and even though I loved it, there were two minor things that bothered me. The first, is the subplot involving the sister. It wasn't fully developed, this is because Stephen Chbosky cut out a lot of things involving her which was a little sad. I wish there were more scenes with Charlie and his sister, as well as his brother who is only in the movie for maybe 5 minutes? The other thing that bothered me was that this movie is too short! I know, that's really not a complaint but, I didn't want this movie to end. These two things in no way ruined my enjoyment of this movie or made me love it even less, but I felt like I needed to address them.
The acting in this movie is amazing, and it's so sad that these performances probably won't get recognized by the academy. The two that stick out the most are Logan Lerman and Ezra Miller. Sure Emma Watson is great but, this is Lerman's and Miller's movie. Lerman does such a great job at playing Charlie, he is what I pictured him to be when I read the book. He pretty much embodies Charlie. Miller proves that he has range and that We Nee to Talk About Kevin wasn't a hoax or anything. This character is so different from what he played in that movie, it's literally the opposite of what he played and he has no struggle with it. He is the perfect Patrick and I couldn't see anyone playing the part, but him. Same goes for Lerman. The supporting cast does a great job too. The one that sticks out most from that pact is Paul Rudd who plays Mr. Anderson, Charlies English teacher. All my English teachers in high school were great but, I think I speak for everyone when I say, I wish I had an English teacher like Mr. Anderson when I was in high school. Though, all my English teachers that I had did come close..?
Another thing that saddens me is that the soundtrack will probably be ignored by the Academy. This is going to be like last year where Drive's score was ignored, or the year before that when Tron Legacy's score was ignored. Each song was perfect and added that emotional punch to certain scenes. I will most definitely buy the soundtrack as it is probably on of the best soundtracks of this year. It really is a shame that it'll probably be ignored.
When it was first announced that the book was finally going to be made into a movie, I saw that Stephen Chbosky was going to be the writer and director. I was excited and worried about this. Usually with cases like these the author only does the screenplay and someone else directs it. I was not worried so much about the screenplay but, more so of the directing. Stephen Chbosky has screenplay credits under his name, his biggest one being Rent. However, he didn't have experience behind the camera. That's the part that worried me but, I ended up being worried for nothing. The screenplay is great and it deserve to be at least nominated for best adaptive screen play. The dialogue is amazing and he of course includes the line "We are Infinite!" which sent shivers down my spine when Lerman said that. The direction is also nice, it could have been better with maybe someone else but, either way it was still great.
This is a coming of age story and though it may seems generic on the surface, I assure you it's anything but that. There's so much more too it and though the trailers make this movie seem more of a comedy, it's not. There are funny parts but, the last act takes a dark turn so so of you who haven't read the novel might be surprised, especially with the twist.
Like the book, Charlie is my favorite character and he's the most relatable to me. He will probably be relatable to many of you too. The characters are well-developed of course but, sometimes with adaptations characterization can get lost in translation, that is not the case here. The chemistry between Lerman and Watson is effective. They make a nice couple together, kinda wish they were a couple in real life too aha. The interactions between everyone feels natural and unforced, same goes for the way everyone delivers their lines. I could go on and on but, I'll stop here and let you discover things on your own.
Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better adaptation. This is one of those moments where I was actually pleased with the movie and the book's transition to the big screen rather than being disappointed like, lets say, The Hunger Games. I loved everything about this movie, the soundtrack, the performances, etc. By the time the end credits rolled, I'll admit I cried. I cried because, a part of me now misses high school. I cried because this was such a beautiful movie and it's the movie I've been waiting ever since I picked up that book and read that first page. If there's one thing that I learned from the book and this movie, it's that moving on is simple, it' what we leave behind that's hard.
