Perks For This Generation

Charlie’s (Logan Lerman) starting high school and, like anyregular teenager, he’s not looking forward to it. Being a freshman means havingto survive the seniors who pick on the outcasts; make friends as fast as possible;and either make a mark or stay out of the way – Charlie chose the later thanthe former. It’s going to be a long road to graduation, but with a little bitof help from below average seniors with reputations as outlaws, the first yearof high school isn’t exactly going to be too bad.

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Ok, so you all know that I read this book in 2010 and LOVEDit! Well the movie is no different. It’s stays true to the book, and I throw myhat off to Mr Stephen Chobsky for writing the script and directing the movie –all the blood, sweat and tears were worth it.

The Cast

Logan Lerman – Ifeel like I haven’t written about Lerman in ages! But this guys just keepsgetting better and better. He’s definitely stepped up from his last role in, Percy Jackson, here by playing Charlie.Taking the confused and inwardly-tortured teenager trying to swim his waythrough the fish tank that is high school, Lerman fully embodies his characterand brings the socially awkward teen from to pages to life. He was believablewith every scene – happy, sad, confused, tortured or even aroused – he was onthe ball.

Emma Watson – Nostranger to the franchise of book-to-screen, I have to say that Miss Watson wasa beautiful choice for Sam. Although her accent faltered at times, she wasconfident and embraced the bad-girl-turning-good role perfectly. This is thefirst time I felt like she was really relaxed in front of the camera. Shelooked comfortable and carefree which is exactly what her character’s like. Ihave to congratulate her for her performance – it was brilliant!

Ezra Miller – Myhat goes off to this man. EXACTLY what I imagined Patrick to be –over-confident, boisterous, yet inwardly broken all at once. He was a brilliantcomic relief, but also the best source for emotion and compassion. I have tosay, Miller was my favourite character in the entire film – sorry Lerman! – Hewas absolutely in is element and was completely believable.

Music / Soundtrack

Perks is one ofthose movies that you have to talk about the soundtrack. Collaborating theclassics and putting them into one film, this movie’s soundtrack is forgenerations past and the generation of today. With songs that I’ve grown up withand songs I wish I did grew up with, this soundtrack is perfect for mums anddads. The soundtrack alone makes this a parent-child film to watch.

Overall

This film is definitely the 21^st Century’s teenmovie. It takes us back to the original themes that the 80s classics like The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles dealt with and broughtthem to a new era. Taking away parent-child issues and replacing them withextended family issues, Perks dealswith the taboo subject of abuse. Keeping the themes of underage drinking anddrug use, parties, hidden identities and being sexually active, Perks, lays out that not much haschanged – but there’s room for it. This film needs to be seen in conjunction withthe book it was based on. It’s definitely written for adolescents of thisgeneration.

sL Star Rating: 4Stars

NEXT: ON HIATUSuntil Mid-January.

Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and I’ll see you in the NEW YEAR!!!

Much love,

sL xxx