Stream Review: What to Watch Online–“The Perks of Being a Wallflower”

Netflix just added a bunch of new movies and shows to their April catalogue, which means that our quarantine rosters get an update too. If you’re quickly running out of things to watch, I recommend “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” (I mean, 2012 wasn’t that long ago.)

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” or “Perks” as I call it, is a heartfelt coming-of-age film based on Stephen Chbosky’s novel of the same name.

‘Perks’ follows Charlie, a boy entering his freshman year of high school. Charlie is a sweet, quiet boy who has had a harder childhood and adolescence than his idyllic family life would have you believe.

 

The viewer follows Charlie as he deals with the death of his best friend, his depression, making new friends, and falling in love with the first time.

Set in the 90s, this film creates an odd sense of nostalgia. Unless you go into the film knowing it wasn’t set in the 2010s, you could realistically make it all the way through before realizing that.

“Perks” is an almost-two-hour rollercoaster ride from start to finish. They managed to pack so much into a short time frame. The best part is that it barely deviates from its source material. From the book to the film almost nothing changes, and the changes they did make are all pretty minor.

Now, I’m not an emotional girl, but “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” makes me want to cry as much as laugh, and any other emotion in between.

If you’re looking for something new or different to add to the rotation, I highly suggest giving this film a try. If you end up loving, try the book next!