I’m not usually a fan of films about the trauma of being an upper-middle class white kid in America, but this film works on lots of levels and is worth viewing. Written and directed by Stephen Chbosky, who also wrote the novel it’s based on, the film follows Charlie (Logan Lerman), a freshman in high school and a troubled kid who just got out of a mental institution following the suicide of his best friend. He’s on his own, deserted by his sister, in the land of oppressive upperclassmen at a Pittsburgh, suburban high school until he’s taken under their wings by Sam (Emma Watson) and her brother Patrick (Ezra Miller). They lead the very bright Charlie into the world of parties, Rocky Horror, rock and roll, and some of the drugs that go with it. But there’s more than a portion of pain in this, as stories of abuse, coming out and coming of age, memory, guilt, and confusion play into one another. A well done version of a set of stories not usually handled this well. However, I will never believe that Emma Watson is ever on the outs in any situation. And calling these kids wallflowers?. No way. They aren’t the kids who run the school, but they are all pretty or handsome, and know they are alternative, goth, hip, and proud of it. They’ve got real culture and community. Except for Charlie at the beginning, they aren’t wallflowers in the sense of being really alone.