the perks of being a wallflower

I feel I should begin by thanking E4 and Picturehouse for creating the magical institution that is Slackers Club because I got to see this a few days before release and for free(!). Me and Earl and the Dying Girl follows Greg (Thomas Mann), who is forced by his mother to go and spend time with Rachel (Olivia Cooke), as she has just been diagnosed with leukemia. This is, as he puts it, the beginning of a “doomed friendship”. Naturally, the two have a rough start but find their way to a funny and wholly watchable friendship. The whole time, Rachel is getting sicker, and Greg is talked into making a film for her with his friend or “coworker” Earl (RJ Cyler). They’re told to make a film because it gets out that the two have been making copies of well-known films by changing the titles of them; Pooping Tom, Sockwork Orange, Senior Citizen Kane and so on. These films then get shown to Rachel and we as an audience, get little, hilarious glimpses at their work. I’ll give you a hint – they’re fantastic.

The best thing about this film, however, is not their parody version ‘My Dinner with Andre the Giant’, but the sheer humour that comes from the films characters. If you’ve met me, you’ll know I have a tendency to dislike a lot of teen characters in film, but here are three fantastic teen characters that I adore. Greg is so self-depreciating but so wonderfully funny and a little odd, that I knew from the start I would enjoy the film. Earl – where do I begin – Earl is hilarious, but secretly kindhearted and very observant of his friend Greg. Rachel is only given so much character as we watch her health deteriorate, but as said in the film, we can learn about people after they die. Now, I won’t ruin it, but one of the best things Rachel does gets found out by Greg at the very end of the film (if you intend to see the film and find out what I mean, the key here is scissors. You’re welcome). What’s amazing about this film is that it’s not just the stars that are good, it’s the parents too. Connie Britton, Nick Offerman and Molly Shannon absolutely shine. I was tempted to say ‘particularly Molly Shannon’ but I mean it when they say they were all excellent. Fans of Nick Offerman will love his strange kimono-wearing, squid-eating, and cat-holding father figure here.

I think the greatness of this film boils down to two things; it’s experimental, and almost Submarine/Ayoade-like use of camera shots and angles, and the script. My Dad is always reminding me about the famous Hitchcock quote; that “[t]o make a great film you need three things – the script, the script and the script”. This film is a testament to that kind of thinking, and as a result the whole audience is engrossed from start to finish, laughing and quite possibly crying as they go.

I expected to enjoy this film, but was definitely surprised at just how much I enjoyed it. It was such a gentle film that I didn’t notice the lengthy two hours it ran on for. The film has gotten a mixture of bad reviews from harsh critics who have tended to be rather condescending to the genre and to the general concept, and very positive reviews from people like myself who was amazed at how cheery (most of) the film turned out to be. I understand the conflict between a large number of people and this wide genre of movies about teens with problems (from a spectrum of cancer-centered films to films about mental health struggles and the little island of John Green adaptations). I won’t lie, a lot of the films suck. I struggle with some of the John Green films and some of the forcibly alternative films that just seem false and don’t work. However, the genre isn’t a total wash-out. If you are willing, there are some that are truly golden; Submarine, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Me and Earl and the Dying Girl are well worth a few hours of your time.

This film was surprisingly moving, and just really interesting – I was engrossed from the moment it began. The cast is absolutely spot-on and each character is so rich and well-written that there are no dull moments. It was surprisingly difficult to review this one, but it really was good and I am still a little shocked it was as good as it was. I would recommend watching this if it’s your kind of thing – if it’s not entirely for you, or you’re stingy then wait for the DVD release. I’ll certainly be adding it to my shelf upon release.

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is a great film, that will keep you entertained for two hours straight. If you’re anything like me (or most domestic animals), then that’s quite impressive, and as a result, earns FOUR STARS.

During exams last summer I watched a lot of films to cheer me up and thought of posting about them and I grouped them all and thought of a cool name but never posted it. I’m in a similar situation again now and have decided to post it once and for all (complete with pictures I spent way too long editing) – this is a new collection for when it’s all gone wrong and you either need a life lesson or just a film to make you feel good. I have seven of each.

The 7 with important messages:

1. The Way Way Back (2013)

This is such a beautiful film that is quite possibly resonant with every viewer. With a gorgeous soundtrack, realistic situations and characters to look up to (Sam Rockwell esp.), this film reminds us all to speak for ourselves; to never let anyone belittle us; to keep looking.

The message: So you don’t fit in here – you will fit in somewhere and there will be people that love you. You just have to brave the world and go find them.

2. Empire Records (1995)

I only watched this film recently and was a little confused throughout. By the end, I understood everything and thought the film was wonderful. Empire Records’ main storyline is a group of young people trying to save their store from becoming a chain, but really it’s much more. Store owner Joe has taken all these young people, each with their own secrets, their own stories and problems under his wing and has given them so much more than a job. They are a miniature family that help each other through it all. Upon realizing that even the seemingly perfect Corey (Liv Tyler) has a serious issue, the greatest quote comes about (see above).

The message: We all have our own issues, and we all need each other to get through them.

3. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Well it’s Little Miss Sunshine isn’t it. This is the easiest one and at the same time, one of the most feel good. Again, a exploration of one groups problems but this time, dealt with in the best way and with best humour. Yes, it is a sad film too but what we come away with is this strong sense that nobody is normal and that you should follow your dreams because someone will support you, even if they are the minority.

The message: Who cares what anyone else thinks? Do what you want to do.

4. The Truman Show (1998)

Every time this film is mentioned I can’t help but sigh wistfully. The Truman Show is one of my all time favourites and goes down in everyone’s book as a classic. What’s best about this film is not the stunning score, nor the clever philosophical points, but Truman himself. Although you’re more likely to be crying over your laptop as the storm overthrows his boat, you become as overjoyed as the on-screen audience at his triumph. Truman’s character is beyond admirable and his sense of self and ability to make decisions for himself is something we should probably start trying.

The message: It does not matter where you are or who you are with as long as you know yourself.

5. ParaNorman (2012)

ParaNorman is almost too real for an animation. It is so full of truths about people and what we are like, despite it being about a boy fighting off zombies. A film I personally adore for two reasons; a-the crazy drama teacher, b-that Norman keeps going no matter what. Here’s a kid with a rough start – he can see dead things and no-one believes him. His Dad thinks he’s crazy, he is bullied at school and only finds comfort in the ghost of his grandmother. Nothing stops Norman – sure he gets angry and yells once in a while but he is determined to save the town and to help a little girl that felt the same as him.

The message: You cannot let fear stop you. Giving up prevents triumph.

6. The Breakfast Club (1985)

Obviously The Breakfast Club. This film should be a constant reminder that everyone has something in common and that if we tried hard enough, we could all get a long just fine. Sounds too idyllic and oddly pleasant I know,but in all sincerity this films serves to reassure us that we are not as crazy or as weird as we think. No one is really normal.

The message: Be whoever you want to be – no-one can stop you.

7. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

I know this is quite a sad film that made you sink down in you cinema chair and sob a few years back… but(!) if you pay attention, you can take away the important messages. This is such an emotionally charged piece of cinema in which people like Charlie can finally be told what they need to here; “You can’t just sit there and put everyone’s life ahead of yours and think that counts as love”. This film is endlessly quotable and a really important watch – especially as a young adult film. (You should also try the book it’s based on by Stephen Chbosky).