No one will ever look at the Fort Pitt Tunnel the same way again.Stephen Chbosky’s film adaptation of his acclaimed coming-of-age novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflowerwill have adolescents looking hopefully into their futures and adults reflecting on their days as high school students.
As the screenwriter, producer and director, Chbosky was able to ensure that the storyline stayed true to the novel. The novel and film, at its core, is a coming-of-age story about Charlie (Logan Lerman), who is exposed to the world of high school through two seniors, Sam (Emma Watson) and Patrick (Ezra Miller), who also happen to be stepsiblings.Slowly, the introverted Charlie becomes a new member of Sam and Patrick’s “island of misfits,” expanding his experiences. He tries drugs, goes on his first date and faces several heartbreaks.
However, Charlie’s problems lie deep within him and are slowly revealed throughout the plot.
Lerman does a phenomenal job portraying Charlie. Miller also has a breakout performance as the flamboyant Patrick, and Watson holds her own with her first post “Potter” leading role and American accent. The film also features Paul Rudd as Charlie’s high school English teacher, Kate Walsh as Charlie’s mother, Dylan McDermott as Charlie’s father and Nina Dobrev as Charlie’s older sister.
Pittsburgh is the setting for the film, and it has never looked better. Those from the area will feel an even deeper connection to the film with so many familiar sights and Pittsburgh references, including the Pittsburgh Penguins, Penn State, grilled stickies and, of course, yinz.
Personally, I found the scenes involving the Fort Pitt Tunnel absolutely surreal, freeing and exhilarating. I truly felt infinite in that moment. Just don’t try flying through the tunnels blaring David Bowie’s “Heroes” yourself.
Trust me, you’ll be feeling a lot less infinite sitting in jail.
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The Perks of Being a Wallflower is now playing nationwide.
