I finally was able to see this film last night.
Charlie Kelmeckis (Logan Lerman) is a lonely ninth grader already counting down the days until he can graduate. His first day of school is a pretty miserable one, but the viewer doesn't know why he has no friends. He doesn't even raise his hand in English class despite knowing the answers to some tough questions. Fortunately, his teacher, Mr. Anderson (Paul Rudd) can tell that Charlie is a lost soul and immediately takes him under his wing, supplying him with a steady stream of books throughout the year.
For some reason, Charlie decides to go to the football game and sees a senior from his shop class, Patrick (a great Ezra Miller) and sits near him. Patrick adopts Charlie instantly into his group. Sam (Emma Watson) joins them and later they go out for food. Charlie asks the two how long have they been together? Patrick and Sam and the audience laughs as they are only step-siblings plus Patrick is gay. Patrick is also secretly dating the star quarterback of the football team, whom Charlie's older brother also knew, Brad (Johnny Simmons). Brad used to only have sex with Patrick after getting drunk and his father disapproves of the whole homosexuality thing so the relationship is kept private. Charlie only finds out about it after walking in on them making out after eating a brownie laced with pot. While Sam makes him a milkshake because he is craving one, he tells her about his friend Michael who was against drugs because his father drank all the time. When Sam asks where is Michael, still high Charlie answers, he killed himself last May. Sam is stunned.
Soon, Charlie has friends, all seniors. In addition to Patrick and Sam, there is also Mary Elizabeth (Mae Whitman) and Alice (Erin Wilhelmi). Though Charlie has a huge crush on Sam, she is dating Craig (Reece Thompson) who is in college, but she does give him his first kiss, he ends up dating Mary Elizabeth because she asked him to the Sadie Hawkins dance at school. She is annoying and too much for Charlie. He couldn't have picked a worse way to break-up with her though. When dared to kiss the prettiest girl in the room, he kisses Sam. Apparently, the two, though friends, have some bad blood between them, so Patrick tells him to stay away until the situation dies down. After hearing that Brad's dad finds out about the relationship, he tries to talk to Patrick but before he is able to, one of Brad's minions trips Patrick and Brad does nothing to defend him and he even calls him a faggot so Patrick punches him. This leads to a huge fight, and Charlie steps in to end it, but he blacked out and doesn't remember exactly what he did. I wondered why teachers weren't notified to break up the fight? Whatever, that wasn't really necessary. After this, Charlie is back in. Mary Elizabeth also begins dating a college guy also. Sam breaks up with Craig after finding out that he cheated on her. Just before she leaves for college (Charlie tutored her so she could get into Penn State, also where his brother goes), they have sex. Just when you think things are going to work out, Charlie has a breakdown. I'll say nothing more about that plot because it wouldn't be right.
There is also Charlie's family. His parents (Dylan McDermott and Kate Walsh) are generous and understanding. His older brother, Chris (Zane Holtz) attends Penn State where he plays football. Notably, Joe Paterno's name is never mentioned. Candace (Nina Dobrev) is sweet though her boyfriend, Ponytail Derek (Nicholas Hoult) has issues as he slaps her once. Charlie overseas this, but Candace tells him not to doing anything about it. Fortunately, she breaks up with him before prom and thus goes with her girlfriends. Charlie is fairly happy about. Candace is also the one to figure out that something is wrong with him, and gets the police to come to their house before he does anything stupid. No, he doesn't kill himself, thank goodness. Then there is the most mysterious character of the film, Charlie's Aunt Helen (Melanie Lynskey). I'll leave her a mystery. Joan Cusack has a quick appearance at the end as a doctor.
The film is great, with funny moments tucked in behind the serious, heartfelt ones. The soundtrack and cinematography are likewise fantastic. This film deserved more award nominations than it received. And the scene at the end when all is revealed is truly heart-wrenching. This is a must-see film for anyone. However, I do have minor problems with the film, like some scenes could have been held longer and the catch-phrase we accept the love with think we deserve isn't necessarily true. That doesn't stop me from giving the film the grade I will give it. I'll gladly watch it again. Grade: A
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