Stretched back in one of AMC's overpowering red velvet chairs with a miniature jar of Nutella to accompany my smuggled bag of pretzels, I was one of ten in the small scale theater, anxiously awaiting an opening, life changing, scene. Months. Weeks. Days. It had been an eternity it seemed, waiting for the movie release of Perks of Being A Wallflower. Now the time had come, fingers drumming, toes wiggling, heart thumping.
It wasn't long before we were all entranced by the characters of Charlie, Sam and Patrick, taking us back to our high school days and struggles through adolescence. Charlie, endearing in his instability and rocky path to self discovery, Sam, captivating in her effortlessly free, beautiful, nature and Patrick, larger than life in his every action, his outer strength masking that inner weakness we all fear exposing.
If there were a way to describe the poetic style and tone of Perks, it would be magnetic, magical. The song you hear on the radio at the perfect moment that so eloquently speaks your mind, the goosebumps that overpower your body like miniature hills in a once barren valley, the sweet, indulgent, comforting first bite of warm apple pie doused in vanilla ice cream.
The original story, beautifully written and published in 1999 by American novelist Stephen Chbosky is that of a dream. The type of work that all writers should live for; when a piece goes far beyond reporting and storytelling into another world of graphic visuals and dancing words that put meaning to feelings the average person doesn't understand.
The movie, also directed by Chbosky is a brilliant portrayal of the book. Fans need not worry of a massacre like Twilight (for those who read the vampire tales far before Kristen Stewart and RPatz existed) that tears apart the original heart and soul of the production. The writing is quality, the casting is perfection (even with Emma Watson's drawn out American accent) and the SOUNDTRACK, essential. The kind of track that stays with you, paralyzing all thoughts until you've succesfully rummaged through all musical sources, (Spotify: check. I-tunes: check. Pandora: check Youtube: yup, you too, check. ) created your play list and listened to it on repeat for three days straight. On surface level, the quality of the music, mainly indie and rock is superior. Take a listen for yourself with Charlie's Mix listed below.
"Asleep by the Smiths
Vapour Trail by Ride
Scarborough Fair by Simon & Garfunkel
A Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum
Dear Prudence by the Beatles
Gypsy by Suzanne Vega
Nights in White Satin by the Moody Blues
Daydream by Smashing Pumpkins
Dusk by Genesis (before Phil Collins was even in the band!)
MLK by U2
Blackbird by the Beatles
Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
Asleep by the Smiths (again!)
The real power of the music is in the sentiment however. The prized possessions of high school crush mix tapes, the power of a song, a place, a time to make you "feel infinite". Perks captures a special nostalgia and Chobsky illustrates beautifully. A reminder to value the world and those around you. Put life in perspective. Don't take people or things for granted and know, it's okay to feel sad or overwhelmed at times. There's always a light to venture towards and something beautiful to inspire you to live in richer ways. Take, the tunnel scene for example. Simple concept made into something beautiful.
“As you enter the tunnel, the wind gets sucked away, and you squint from the lights overhead. When you adjust the lights, you can see the other side in the distance just as the sound of the radio fades to nothing because the waves just can’t reach. Then, you’re in the middle of the tunnel, and everything becomes a calm dream. As you see the opening get closer, you just can’t get there fast enough. And finally, just when you think you’ll never get there, you see the opening right in front of you. And the radio comes back even louder than you remember it. And the wind is waiting. And you fly out of the tunnel onto the bridge. And there it is. The city. A million lights and buildings and everything seems as exciting as the first time you saw it.”
Perks of Being A Wallflower includes over arching themes of self acceptance, the beauty of simplicity, the heart ache of love, the power of friendship and overcoming personal struggle. It's been two days and I'm still entranced. The movie s a must see!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
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