Stephen Chbosky adapts his own novel for this coming-of-age drama about an introvert teen whose eyes are opened to a world of new experiences after he becomes friends with two older kids. When shy freshman Charlie (Logan Lerman) makes friends with Patrick (Ezra Miller) and his stepsister Sam (Emma Watson) almost by accident, he soon finds himself immersed in a newfound world of music, friends, soft drugs and sexual confusion. The film is executive produced by John Malkovich and Lianne Halfon and Russel Smith (Juno).
Special Features:
Audio commentary with Screenwriter/Director Stephen Chobsky
Audio commentary with Director Stephen Chbosky and the cast
"Best Summer Ever" featurette
Deleted scenes with optional audio commentary with Stephen Chbosky
BEST FILM OF THE YEAR, so far anyway. Of course that's just my opinion. I think it's a gem and a great coming-of-age film. I agree with this being Entertainment Weekly's "Consider This" Oscar Pick for Best Picture. I wish the Academy would consider it. Its best bet seems to be for Adapted Screenplay but even that probably won't happen with the competition. I wish this would have caught on in a much bigger way. Would have helped its chances. There's no reason it shouldn't be this year's Juno at the Oscars. Hopefully the Golden Globes will give it a couple of nominations. I could see them possibly going for Emma Watson, and it might score a nomination for Best Picture (Musical/Comedy). It's more of a drama, IMO, but so was My Week With Marylin. It does have some humor though and I believe the category it would be pushed for is comedy. I don't really care as long as it gets nominated. Its best shot of that happening would be in the Musical/Comedy category. Fingers crossed. I'd love to see Logan Lerman nominated for his performance. He was terrific! That doesn't seem likely, but I thought he was award-worthy. If it does get nominated for anything at the Globes I hope Summit re-expands it. I think it would do solid during Christmas break.
Anyway, it's a must buy for me. I have seen it twice theatrically and hope to go once more at least before it leaves my theater. February feels like a long wait.
This is an emotional powerhouse of a film. This is a great adaptation. Whoever didn't get the chance to see this in theaters should check this out as soon as they can.
I agree with all the above comments that this is one of, if not the best film I saw in 2012.
The emotional weight and gravitas that the film puts forward was enough to leave me thinking about it for days after I got the chance to see it in theaters. Definitely not only a day 1 purchase, but a Day 1 viewing!
So glad to see others on here who feel exactly the same as I do. This one has really flown under the radar. When I saw EW pick it as a "note to the Academy voters"-- I was so psyched. I just wish more people had a chance to see this. It is SO much more than a powerful coming of age story. I am a middle aged white guy and it hit me like a ton of bricks. This is not just a "teen flick". It reaches far beyond that demo-- and not simply because we have all been there at one time-- but because feelings of lonliness, needing to belong and fit in-- these are powerful universal emotions that resonate at any time in our lives. To see these issues addressed so honestly and with such skill and impact-- that is what makes this film so rare and unique. It is has been marketed and packaged in a way that makes it easy for people to dismiss, but once you see it, the film packs an undeniable emotional wallop. Can't wait to own this on blu-ray. But February is still a long way off so I am hitting the theater to see it again on the big screen in the meantime-- I'm glad it is still playing. So far, I rank this one right at the top of my 10 best of the year... along with Lincoln, Skyfall, Argo, The Master, The Dark Knight Rises, End of Watch, Prometheus, Flight, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
