*Possible spoilers*
I don't know where to begin really. The mixture of nerves, excitement, disappointment, and joy has become a confused blur.
It started with being an hour late to the MTV Movie Awards (I had a standing invitation with my couch) which did not bode well for the night. Playing catch up can be extremely frustrating and I fast forwarded through what I could (mainly Ashton Kutcher's weak attempt at pop culture relevance and Charlize Theron talking about fashion). There was a quick moment with Logan Lerman, the quintessential Charlie, backstage and then more pre-show "let's-see-whats-happening-where-nothing-at-all-is-going-on" bruhaha. To my equal dismay and happiness they played the trailer before the awards even started (I had expected to have to watch the entire show waiting in antici............................................................................pation).
Then....it happened. The debut of "the perks of being a wallflower" trailer. Bliss, then betrayal.
Before I go into detail about the trailer, it would be appropriate to get a few simple truths out of the way. I love "perks." A friend from high school gave the book to me when I was about 19 or so. If I'm not mistaken she was told about it by my now best friend and co-creator of Shennantics, Corinne. I used to imagine going to Sweet and Tender Hooligans (A Smiths tribute band from Los Angeles) shows with Charlie, the book's main character, and dancing around in a flurry of youthful exuberance and arrogance. I have since named my iPod after him and it was like he was manifested into the perfect soundtrack. It's spooky sometimes. I hope you can understand that.
So I am a fan. And while I am a fan, I am also to some small degree a journalist. Being objective is important to me so I'll get the criticisms out of the way first.
I should have realized that even though the book's author Stephen Chbosky wrote and directed the film, it was not going to be exactly like the book. I let myself secretly wish it would be exactly the same all the while telling myself that it was going to be noticeably different. First off, Charlie doesn't say, "We accept the love we think we deserve." It was his freshman English teacher Bill (played by Paul Rudd!) that dispersed that little pearl of wisdom. And that subtle difference is telling. Charlie's sister is probably not going to be in the film much based on the switch of teller which is sad really. She is a great minor plot character that drives a lot of the action. Sure, she is silly and self-absorbed; but she is Charlie's big sister and what happens to her is important because he loves her.
Another heart wrenching epic fail is that the key element of the whole story was destroyed by simply changing "And in that moment, I swear we were infinite" to "We are infinite." Let me explain: Charlie is a wallflower. He goes through life watching others live their lives and over thinks about what that means to them as well as to his self. Life is a mystery and he spends a lot of time trying to figure out what that means to in respect to where he fits in it. His natural outlook is to look out and stay hidden. So in that respect it would make sense to express himself outside of the moments where he feels truly alive.
But there is one caveat to this sad outcome. After the third time going through the trailer on the TV I had a thought. What if, just what if, Chbosky is taking Charlie out of the past tense of his anonymous letters to a stranger and throwing him into the moment. What if he really did say out loud to Sam and Patrick, "We are infinite," and it's only through his letter that we get we were. To say that we are is a much more powerful statement and that is what a movie needs. A movie is in essence to be in the moment and that is a wonderful experience for Charlie. It will be absolutely amazing to be in that moment with him when the movie comes out September 14.
I was lucky to catch the end of the live chat with the cast on Facebook (the very very end sadly) and it was there that I caught the trailer again. But it was different this time. There were scenes that were either cut from the program or did not play because the TV was messing up a bit.
And it was by the fourth time watching the trailer that I was practically in tears at the beauty unfolding before my eyes. Seeing the full trailer makes a real difference.
Ezra Miller looks promising as Patrick. Not exactly what I had imagined but I am presently looking forward to what he can do to make his mark on the character. Open and daring, he is not afraid of anyone except maybe himself. Miller appears to understand this about him. Sam, played by the wonderful Emma Watson, sadly didn't make as much as an impact as I had hoped. Her lines where uncharacteristic and she seemed far more outwardly vulnerable. Sam doesn't share much of herself with people, just her step brother Patrick, her best friend Mary Elizabeth (Oh, Mary Elizabeth), and Charlie. It was too personal for a quick look at the movie. It is not a proper representation of who Sam is. It was in the short clips where you catch her energy. Together they are a perfect bunch of misfits.
I'll post the full trailer when it is available but for now, here is the sneak peak mini-trailer
As for the Awards, well...it was hosted by Russell Brand. It wasn't as bad as you would think. The cast of Harry Potter won best cast (rightfully), Johnny Depp received some type of achievement award, as did Emma Stone rather prematurely I might add. I like Stone, but it is too soon to call her a trailblazer. Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks, and Alexander Ludwig won awards for their roles in The Hunger Games. Yay! And sadly, Kristen Stewart continues to breath and win awards for what exactly, I am not sure.
Stay tuned to Shennantics during the summer for there are fun times ahead.
Love always,
Sandra
