i don't say this often about media, be it movies, books, television series or music because i rarely ever feel reflected in the mediums or find it hard to see the true fine personable details and struggles of a character represented in these mediums but I love this movie especially the characters because of how authentic and close to reality they feel.
Logan Lermans portrayal of a shy awkward kid wrestling through the trials and tribulations of a daunting high school whilst life drowning in silent loneliness is all too often a uniquely relatable exeprricne to many going though such trying times. Although the people who do pick on Charlie can seem a bit like vapid caricatures but that sense of twisted mockery and bullying can be easily internalized by the viewer as multiple streams of negative experiences that accumulate through adolescence and what makes the relief of that experience are the "saviors" who come and rescue Charlie and at the same time he rescues them too. Oh wooow is this movie bus, y with character development and unraveling pain and suffering from a gay teen plighted by the inability to be accepted by the one he loves or a young girl constantly used by a myriad of faux lovers for their own sexual desires to many other characters with their own faults and foibles massaged well through out the movie that though can make them seem a bit unreasonable in their logic is understandable once you see the world through their lens.
I enjoyed Logan's acting immensely because of Charlie's soft spoken demeanor and a plastic smile that veils a chasm of childhood trauma, loss and pain. A strong desire to to right what wrongs and mend splintering relationships be it with his family or his new group of friends is what makes this one of my favorite movies. Also the soundtrack is...nothing captures that late 2000s indie garage rock suburban atmosphere quite like the soundtrack in The perks of being a wallflower honestly every time i picture Sam with her arms over the truck as they drive through the tunnel with the David Bowie heroes playing full blast it makes me tear up a little admiring a moment of pure bliss and freedom.
Also I love it every time Sam says "Charlie"