An introvert freshman is taken under the wings of two seniors who welcome him to the real world.
The film was directed and adapted by Stephen Chbosky from his own book – and it shows. Chbosky nails the textures of teenage gloom; but he needs to be more ruthless about editing a novel into a 103- minute movie.
Its romance regarding the significance of teen experience might not work on everyone, but its earnestness, wit and stirring music ought to leave few hearts wholly untouched.
Cliché perpetuates cliché in other words and, adapting his own young adult novel, writer/director Stephen Chbosky’s attempt to pass off the raft of outsider stereotypes he collects here as something honest and true is pretty dispiriting.
This surely couldn't be wetter or weedier than its promotional poster – could it?
Teenage wallflowers, past and present alike, will feel tingles of recognition, and pure pleasure.
It’s over-familiar stuff and the characters talk in pretentious teen speak (“I feel infinite”) but scenes and characters linger in the memory.
The movie has its moments of soap-opera excitement, but it has all the substance of a teenage strop, and none of the energy.
Seek out the infinitely superior The Myth of the American Sleepover for an original and moving take on similar material.
Logan Lerman delivers a career-making turn in this sweet, sincere film. It might not be a massive hit, but it will certainly ease a few paths through the awkwardness of adolescence.
It's all rather obvious and familiar, but well enough acted.
Lerman has some open-faced charm, Miller (We Need To Talk About Kevin) is entertainingly flamboyant, and Watson has a credible American accent and a strutting sassiness which are a world away from Hermione Granger.
An honest, affection-hooking, coming-of-age drama which proves that there is life beyond Hogwarts for Emma Watson.
Youth is wasted on the young and this talented young cast are wasted on Chbosky’s phoney melodrama.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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