The Perks of Being a Wallflower

"Stephen Chbosky adapts and directs his coming-of-age epistolary novel, resulting in a high school movie that’s emotional and engaging without being overly sentimental. Refusing to shirk the dark side of adolescence, Chbosky deals with themes of sex, death, drugs, dependency, abuse and identity – and not a sparkly vampire in sight."

"Stephen Chbosky [directs] with far more passion than skill, which suits familiar scenes of adolescent awkwardness aptly enough."

"Logan Lerman delivers a career-making turn in this sweet, sincere film. It might not be a massive hit, but it will certainly ease a few paths through the awkwardness of adolescence."

"Likable, unsurprising and principally a showcase for the pretty young cast, notably Mr. Miller, who brings texture to his witty if sensitive gay quipster."

"Has all the substance of a teenage strop, and none of the energy."

"Perks deserves points for going beyond the typical coming-of-age drivel aimed at teens."

"It offers the rare pleasure of an author directing his own book, and doing it well. No one who loves the book will complain about the movie, and especially not about its near-ideal casting."

"Heartfelt but rather generic."

"The movie is tough-minded: It zeroes in on Patrick's anger at dating a closeted football star, and it doesn't let Charlie off the hook for his cruelty or self-pity."

"An honest, affection-hooking, coming-of-age drama which proves that there is life beyond Hogwarts for Emma Watson."

"The Perks Of Being A Wallflower is a sweet surprise, a funny, touching terrific and quite wonderful movie that gets it all right about the joys and heartbreaks of growing up circa 1991."