Is The Perks of Being a Wallflower movie appropriate for a 13 year old?

Watch out for Logan Lerman. If his work in THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER is any indication, he's that rare young actor who can carry the weight of complex emotions without reducing them to tics that are too often the actorly shorthand for teenage alienation. As Charlie, Lerman is fantastic and sympathetic -- key for a film of this make. We believe his diffidence, we understand his fear. The same can be said (to a slightly lesser extent) for both Watson, who's passionate and forceful as Sam in a way that she wasn't -- or couldn't be -- as Hermione Granger, and Miller, who has made a cottage industry out of playing vulnerable, eccentric characters (which is admirable, but it would be great to see what he could do playing a quieter role).

Author Stephen Chbosky directed this adaptation of his book, and the movie bears the imprint of his careful hands. But it feels strangely modern for a story set in the early 1990s (the cultural references say as much), and Charlie's stunning revelation in the end is hurried, and so doesn't stun as much as it should. The parents, too, feel like afterthoughts, confusing given the caliber of actors playing them (Dylan McDermott, for one). But on the whole, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a gem, and certainly not a wallflower to ignore.

May 9, 2021

Very Mature but Fantastic Movie

This is a fantastic movie. I will watch with my teens when they are older teens. It has very, very mature themes woven in but are dealt with very well. Drugs, sexual abuse, homosexuality, suicidal topics are all dealt with but again, not graphically & very well. I will use this as a discussion point with my teens when appropriate age. Late teens. Teens do deal with this, those who suffer & those who are friends who suffer. I was an adult when I watched it & really liked the movie. I will watch WITH my older teens to discuss topics dealt with in this movie. Teens need parental guidance when dealing with these topics & feelings.

This title has:

Great messages

Too much sex

Too much swearing

Too much drinking/drugs/smoking

December 4, 2020

Not for the Faint of Heart

This is a very heavy, very mature story about struggling with mental illness, abuse, and making mistakes on the journey to adulthood. Other prevalent themes include alcohol, drug abuse, and sex. I think the merit of this movie can easily be overlooked as it lies mostly in personal interpretation. On the surface it's pretty much a bunch of teenagers doing irresponsible things, but it carries a deeper message of overcoming self-destructive habits, surviving your past, and rediscovering the joy of living through shared moments with other people. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this movie, but it's definitely not something I would recommend to everyone. Proceed with caution.

This title has:

Great messages

Too much violence

Too much sex

Too much swearing

Too much drinking/drugs/smoking

August 26, 2020

Good movie

This movie stayed true to the book (the author of the book wrote the screenplay) but obviously they couldn't include every detail. There are quite a few drug/alcohol references. I would suggest parents watch it (also read the book) before allowing their younger (12-14) kids to watch/read it. I watched the deleted scenes and there is one about Charlie's sister Candace getting an abortion. Perks is a good coming-of-age movie and has a lot of positive messages of friendship. There are a couple of violent scenes and a handful of sexual innuendos and references. If your child has experienced any sexual abuse, I would not recommend this movie.

April 24, 2020

Enjoyed the Film, but Not How it Normalizes Drug Use

I am the parent of an 11 year old and a mature almost 14 year old, and while I would be fine with my older child watching "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," it would need to be accompanied by lots of discussion, because while it is a wonderful, very worthwhile film, there is just a lot of drinking, drugs, sex, and partying happening in a way that normalizes and makes them attractive. I love how this movie explores the struggles teens experience with acceptance, connection, rejection, shame, and self respect, and this film puts a light on teen mental health challenges, and lifts the shame in a way that I think is *really* important. But drugs are seen as a vehicle to gain acceptance with peers (pot/hash brownie and a tab of acid), as is sex, to a lesser degree. Normal life can certainly work that way, and almost all kids are going to encounter it in media and situations with their peers, but before 15 and 16 at least, I'd want to be able to discuss it with them as much as is possible.

This title has:

Too much sex

Too much drinking/drugs/smoking

April 14, 2020

Captivating and Emotional Film (great for teens)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is one of the more memorable movies I have seen. It is well thought out, emotional, realistic, and touching. The themes explored in the movie are very real and very relevant, especially for high school and college kids. Which is why it makes a great film for ages 15 and up. However, some of the content may be a bit mature for tweens and younger children. First off, it deals with the depression of a main character who has been molested as a child and who's best friend committed suicide. Also, the movie has a couple non explicit sexual scenes, both verbal, physical, and between same-sex and opposite-sex couples. There is a couple moments of drug use, including laced brownies, acid, and drinking at parties. And lastly, there is language throughout, albeit not too strong. Personally though, I feel that all the stuff I just listed is warranted and completely on topic considering the story's plot. And at the end, even if watching with kids, parents will most likely come to the conclusion that it was worth the watch. The film is a great learning experience, and offers plenty of conversational points that may be important to parents of teens that are growing up. Perks is certainly a must watch film that provides just the kind of edgy story people need to see. I 100% recommend it.

January 23, 2020

Trigger warning: non explicit sexual abuse of minors has its part in the movie

September 14, 2019

May be a bit disturbing for sensitive kids

Overall it is a very sweet movie If your young one is sensitive, it might take more of them to sort out the good and the bad in the movie. There are many references to various types of abuse so may be uncomfortable to watch/explain. The movie is about love and friendship and how friends can support each other with a lovely positive end.

This title has:

Great messages

Great role models

Too much violence

Why is Perks of Being a Wallflower PG

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