The Perks of Being a Wallflower (film)
Updated: 12/11/2025, 4:53:41 PM Wikipedia source
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a 2012 American coming-of-age romantic drama film written and directed by Stephen Chbosky, and based on his 1999 novel. Logan Lerman stars as a teenager named Charlie who writes to an unnamed friend, and these epistles chronicle his trials, tribulations, and triumphs as he goes through his freshman year of high school. The film depicts his struggles with his, unbeknownst to him, post-traumatic stress disorder, as he goes through his journey in high school making new friends, portrayed by Emma Watson and Ezra Miller. The film's ensemble cast also includes Mae Whitman, Kate Walsh, Dylan McDermott, Joan Cusack, Nina Dobrev, and Paul Rudd in supporting roles. Chbosky had always intended to adapt the novel to film, but did not rush to do so. He was hesitant to sell the rights to the film to anyone, but eventually sold them to Mr. Mudd Productions as long as they let him write and direct the film. Principal photography began in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in May 2011 and lasted approximately fifty days. The Perks of Being a Wallflower had its world premiere at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2012, to a standing ovation. It was released theatrically in the United States on September 21, 2012, by Summit Entertainment. The film was well received by critics, who praised Chbosky's screenplay and direction, the performances of Lerman, Watson and Miller, soundtrack, execution of its topics, and emotional weight. It was also a box office success, grossing $33.3 million on a budget of $13 million, and received several accolades, including the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature, two Critics' Choice Movie Awards nominations, and the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Wide Release. The film has since become a cult classic, especially among Zillennials, and helped define the "Tumblr era" in the early 2010s.
Infobox
Directed by
Stephen Chbosky
Screenplay by
Stephen Chbosky
Based on
The Perks of Being a Wallflowerby Stephen Chbosky
Produced by
mw- Lianne Halfon Russell Smith John Malkovich
Starring
Logan Lerman Emma Watson Ezra Miller Mae Whitman Kate Walsh Dylan McDermott Joan Cusack Paul Rudd
Cinematography
Andrew Dunn
Edited by
Mary Jo Markey
Music by
Michael Brook
Productioncompany
Mr. Mudd Productions
Distributed by
Summit Entertainment (through Lionsgate)
Release dates
September 8, 2012 (2012-09-08) (TIFF) September 21, 2012 (2012-09-21) (United States)
Running time
103 minutes
Country
United States
Language
English
Budget
$13 million
Box office
$33.3 million
Tables
· Reception › Accolades
Boston Society of Film Critics
Boston Society of Film Critics
Award
Boston Society of Film Critics
Date of ceremony
December 9, 2012
Category
Best Supporting Actor
Recipient(s)
Ezra Miller
Result
Won
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actress
Award
Best Supporting Actress
Date of ceremony
Emma Watson
Category
Nominated
Chicago Film Critics Association
Chicago Film Critics Association
Award
Chicago Film Critics Association
Date of ceremony
December 17, 2012
Category
Best Adapted Screenplay
Recipient(s)
Stephen Chbosky
Result
Nominated
Most Promising Filmmaker
Most Promising Filmmaker
Award
Most Promising Filmmaker
Date of ceremony
Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Awards
Critics' Choice Movie Awards
Award
Critics' Choice Movie Awards
Date of ceremony
January 10, 2013
Category
Best Adapted Screenplay
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Best Young Performer
Best Young Performer
Award
Best Young Performer
Date of ceremony
Logan Lerman
Category
Nominated
Detroit Film Critics Society
Detroit Film Critics Society
Award
Detroit Film Critics Society
Date of ceremony
December 14, 2012
Category
Breakthrough Performance
Recipient(s)
Stephen Chbosky
Result
Nominated
Best Screenplay
Best Screenplay
Award
Best Screenplay
Date of ceremony
Nominated
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actor
Award
Best Supporting Actor
Date of ceremony
Ezra Miller
Category
Nominated
Dorian Awards
Dorian Awards
Award
Dorian Awards
Date of ceremony
January 18, 2013
Category
LGBT Film of the Year
Recipient(s)
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Result
Nominated
GLAAD Media Award
GLAAD Media Award
Award
GLAAD Media Award
Date of ceremony
April 20, 2013
Category
Outstanding Film – Wide Release
Recipient(s)
Won
Hollywood Film Festival
Hollywood Film Festival
Award
Hollywood Film Festival
Date of ceremony
October 23, 2012
Category
Spotlight Award
Recipient(s)
Ezra Miller
Result
Won
Independent Spirit Awards
Independent Spirit Awards
Award
Independent Spirit Awards
Date of ceremony
February 23, 2013
Category
Best First Feature
Recipient(s)
Stephen Chbosky, Lianne Halfon, Russell Smith, and John Malkovich
Result
Won
MTV Movie Awards
MTV Movie Awards
Award
MTV Movie Awards
Date of ceremony
April 14, 2013
Category
Best Female Performance
Recipient(s)
Emma Watson
Result
Nominated
Best Breakthrough Performance
Best Breakthrough Performance
Award
Best Breakthrough Performance
Date of ceremony
Ezra Miller
Category
Nominated
Best Kiss
Best Kiss
Award
Best Kiss
Date of ceremony
Emma Watson and Logan Lerman
Category
Nominated
Best Musical Moment
Best Musical Moment
Award
Best Musical Moment
Date of ceremony
Emma Watson, Logan Lerman and Ezra Miller
Category
Nominated
North Carolina Film Critics Association
North Carolina Film Critics Association
Award
North Carolina Film Critics Association
Date of ceremony
October 23, 2012
Category
Best Supporting Actress
Recipient(s)
Emma Watson
Result
Nominated
National Board of Review Awards
National Board of Review Awards
Award
National Board of Review Awards
Date of ceremony
January 8, 2013
Category
Top 10 Films
Recipient(s)
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Result
Won
Phoenix Film Critics Society
Phoenix Film Critics Society
Award
Phoenix Film Critics Society
Date of ceremony
October 23, 2012
Category
Best Supporting Actress
Recipient(s)
Emma Watson
Result
Nominated
People's Choice Awards
People's Choice Awards
Award
People's Choice Awards
Date of ceremony
January 9, 2013
Category
Favorite Drama Movie
Recipient(s)
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Result
Won
Favorite Dramatic Movie Actress
Favorite Dramatic Movie Actress
Award
Favorite Dramatic Movie Actress
Date of ceremony
Emma Watson
Category
Won
San Diego Film Critics Society
San Diego Film Critics Society
Award
San Diego Film Critics Society
Date of ceremony
December 11, 2012
Category
Best Adapted Screenplay
Recipient(s)
Stephen Chbosky
Result
Nominated
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actress
Award
Best Supporting Actress
Date of ceremony
Emma Watson
Category
Won
Best Ensemble Performance
Best Ensemble Performance
Award
Best Ensemble Performance
Date of ceremony
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Category
Won
Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Award
Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Date of ceremony
January 29, 2013
Category
Virtuoso Award
Recipient(s)
Ezra Miller
Result
Won
St. Louis Film Critics Association
St. Louis Film Critics Association
Award
St. Louis Film Critics Association
Date of ceremony
December 17, 2012
Category
Best Adapted Screenplay
Recipient(s)
Stephen Chbosky
Result
Nominated
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actress
Award
Best Supporting Actress
Date of ceremony
Emma Watson
Category
Nominated
Teen Choice Awards
Teen Choice Awards
Award
Teen Choice Awards
Date of ceremony
August 11, 2013
Category
Choice Movie: Drama
Recipient(s)
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Result
Won
Choice Movie Actor: Drama
Choice Movie Actor: Drama
Award
Choice Movie Actor: Drama
Date of ceremony
Logan Lerman
Category
Won
Choice Movie Actress: Drama
Choice Movie Actress: Drama
Award
Choice Movie Actress: Drama
Date of ceremony
Emma Watson
Category
Won
Choice Movie Breakout: Actor
Choice Movie Breakout: Actor
Award
Choice Movie Breakout: Actor
Date of ceremony
Ezra Miller
Category
Nominated
Choice Movie Liplock
Choice Movie Liplock
Award
Choice Movie Liplock
Date of ceremony
Logan Lerman and Emma Watson
Category
Nominated
USC Scripter Award
USC Scripter Award
Award
USC Scripter Award
Date of ceremony
February 9, 2013
Category
Best Adapted Screenplay
Recipient(s)
Stephen Chbosky
Result
Nominated
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association
Award
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association
Date of ceremony
December 10, 2012
Category
Best Adapted Screenplay
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Best Youth Performance
Best Youth Performance
Award
Best Youth Performance
Date of ceremony
Logan Lerman
Category
Nominated
Writers Guild of America Awards
Writers Guild of America Awards
Award
Writers Guild of America Awards
Date of ceremony
February 17, 2013
Category
Best Adapted Screenplay
Recipient(s)
Stephen Chbosky
Result
Nominated
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
| Boston Society of Film Critics | December 9, 2012 | Best Supporting Actor | Ezra Miller | Won | |
| Best Supporting Actress | Emma Watson | Nominated | |||
| Chicago Film Critics Association | December 17, 2012 | Best Adapted Screenplay | Stephen Chbosky | Nominated | |
| Most Promising Filmmaker | Nominated | ||||
| Critics' Choice Movie Awards | January 10, 2013 | Best Adapted Screenplay | Nominated | ||
| Best Young Performer | Logan Lerman | Nominated | |||
| Detroit Film Critics Society | December 14, 2012 | Breakthrough Performance | Stephen Chbosky | Nominated | |
| Best Screenplay | Nominated | ||||
| Best Supporting Actor | Ezra Miller | Nominated | |||
| Dorian Awards | January 18, 2013 | LGBT Film of the Year | The Perks of Being a Wallflower | Nominated | |
| GLAAD Media Award | April 20, 2013 | Outstanding Film – Wide Release | Won | ||
| Hollywood Film Festival | October 23, 2012 | Spotlight Award | Ezra Miller | Won | |
| Independent Spirit Awards | February 23, 2013 | Best First Feature | Stephen Chbosky, Lianne Halfon, Russell Smith, and John Malkovich | Won | |
| MTV Movie Awards | April 14, 2013 | Best Female Performance | Emma Watson | Nominated | |
| Best Breakthrough Performance | Ezra Miller | Nominated | |||
| Best Kiss | Emma Watson and Logan Lerman | Nominated | |||
| Best Musical Moment | Emma Watson, Logan Lerman and Ezra Miller | Nominated | |||
| North Carolina Film Critics Association | October 23, 2012 | Best Supporting Actress | Emma Watson | Nominated | |
| National Board of Review Awards | January 8, 2013 | Top 10 Films | The Perks of Being a Wallflower | Won | |
| Phoenix Film Critics Society | October 23, 2012 | Best Supporting Actress | Emma Watson | Nominated | |
| People's Choice Awards | January 9, 2013 | Favorite Drama Movie | The Perks of Being a Wallflower | Won | |
| Favorite Dramatic Movie Actress | Emma Watson | Won | |||
| San Diego Film Critics Society | December 11, 2012 | Best Adapted Screenplay | Stephen Chbosky | Nominated | |
| Best Supporting Actress | Emma Watson | Won | |||
| Best Ensemble Performance | The Perks of Being a Wallflower | Won | |||
| Santa Barbara International Film Festival | January 29, 2013 | Virtuoso Award | Ezra Miller | Won | |
| St. Louis Film Critics Association | December 17, 2012 | Best Adapted Screenplay | Stephen Chbosky | Nominated | |
| Best Supporting Actress | Emma Watson | Nominated | |||
| Teen Choice Awards | August 11, 2013 | Choice Movie: Drama | The Perks of Being a Wallflower | Won | |
| Choice Movie Actor: Drama | Logan Lerman | Won | |||
| Choice Movie Actress: Drama | Emma Watson | Won | |||
| Choice Movie Breakout: Actor | Ezra Miller | Nominated | |||
| Choice Movie Liplock | Logan Lerman and Emma Watson | Nominated | |||
| USC Scripter Award | February 9, 2013 | Best Adapted Screenplay | Stephen Chbosky | Nominated | |
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | December 10, 2012 | Best Adapted Screenplay | Nominated | ||
| Best Youth Performance | Logan Lerman | Nominated | |||
| Writers Guild of America Awards | February 17, 2013 | Best Adapted Screenplay | Stephen Chbosky | Nominated |
References
- AFI Catalog of Feature Filmshttp://catalog.afi.com/Film/68906-THE-PERKSOFBEINGAWALLFLOWER?sid=8cfcd46d-06a1-45b4-878e-bbbdf3784263&sr=12.649703&cp=1&pos=0
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower (film)https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=perksofbeingawallflower.htm
- The Perks of Being a Wallflowerhttps://web.archive.org/web/20120926235220/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/BFF290673/
- Los Angeles Timeshttps://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-1101-perks-wallflower20121101,0,5415057.story
- The Perks of Being A Wallflowerhttps://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2012/09/catching-up-with-the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-a.html
- "'Perks Of Being A Wallflower' updates plus filming locations in Pittsburgh May 9–13"http://www.onlocationvacations.com/tag/perks-of-being-a-wallflower-filming-locations-may-9-may-13
- EmmaWatson.comhttps://web.archive.org/web/20110509192309/http://www.emmawatson.com/en/Latest/Emma/A-message-from-Emma/
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- Consequencehttps://consequence.net/2022/09/perks-of-being-a-wallflower-why-its-good/
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- Complexhttp://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/09/interview-the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-director-stephen-chbosky
- "The Perks of Being a Wallflower Q&A"https://web.archive.org/web/20141210200149/http://sbiff.org/wallflower-qa/
- Comingsoon.nethttps://www.comingsoon.net/news/torontonews.php?id=94185
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- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/stephen-chbosky-perks-being-wallflower-movie-emma-watson-371559
- Emma Watson on Her Fight to Get 'Wallflower' Madehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBdviQOT30E
- Emma Watson in conversation with Stephen Chbosky!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rVVw-o2Lt8
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- "Nina Dobrev Goes From 'Vampire Diaries' To 'The Perks Of Being A Wallflower'"https://web.archive.org/web/20140110081119/http://www.deadline.com/2011/04/123303
- "Kate Walsh Signs On For 'Perks Of Being A Wallflower'"https://web.archive.org/web/20110513091321/http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2011/05/10/kate-walsh-the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower
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