Film Clips: Stephen Chbosky for “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”
If an Oscar was bestowed for best cinematic multi-tasking, Stephen Chbosky would be this year’s obvious winner.
The 42-year-old author penned the young-adult favorite “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (1999), which has sold more than 1 million copies. Chbosky (pronounced Sha-bos-key), who controlled the screen rights, then wrote the screenplay and co-produced and directed the excellent big-screen version.
The coming-of-age drama, set in 1991 Pittsburgh, has been embraced by teen readers. Its frank handling of uncomfortable subjects such as sexuality, drug use and suicide has caused some groups to demand the title be removed from shelves.
“I wrote the book because I was going through hard times and needed help,” Chbosky said by telephone during a Philadelphia publicity stop for the PG-13 picture, which stars Emma Watson, Logan Lerman and Ezra Miller in a touching story about the highs and lows faced by a 15-year-old boy on his way to adulthood. “It’s gratifying that people relate to the book.
“When you write something personal, it’s humbling that young people by the thousands say, ‘My God! How did you know how I feel?’ It’s so humbling that they (the readers) know my feelings. It’s the feeling that binds us.”
Chbosky readily admitted that he had a heavyweight cinematic adviser in John Malkovich, who liked the material so much he agreed to serve as a producer. The eccentric actor’s help ended up being artistically rewarding.
“The best advice was from John Malkovich, who pulled me aside at a dinner,” Chbosky recalled. “He said, ‘I love your script, because it has real heart. You don’t need sentiment. As a guy from Pittsburgh, always get the tough take.'”
Chbosky enjoyed a major casting coup when Watson agreed to star in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” as her follow-up to playing Hermione Granger in the wildly successful “Harry Potter” franchise. (She also appeared in the 2011 film “My Week With Marilyn.”)
The author, who is married and has a daughter, felt an immediate connection with the 22-year-old Watson, who was born in France and raised in England.
“I met her in New York and found this lonely kid who grew up in the eye of a hurricane (in the ‘Potter’ series) but remained grounded,” said Chbosky, who named Nicholas Ray’s “Rebel Without a Cause” with James Dean and Natalie Wood as one of his favorite films about teens. “We both had a lot to prove.
“Emma had to be more than Hermione, and I had to direct. Whenever I got down, she was there, and when she got down, I was there. She’s like my little sister.
“I also liked how hungry Emma was to do the role. That inspired her fellow cast mates and helped me as a director.”
And what advice does he give to those hoping to enjoy a life in the arts?
“Follow your passion,” he said. “If you have a unique voice, nurture it. Listen to people who want to nurture you rather than people who say you can’t do something.”
Chbosky noted that his favorite writer is one of the best-selling authors of all time.
“For my next novel, I want to do a loving tribute to Stephen King,” he said. “He can write in any genre, and his characters and descriptions are fantastic.
“He’s brilliant. In the history of storytelling, I don’t know of a better storyteller than Stephen King.”
Chbosky, who named “The Graduate,” “Harold and Maude,” “Stand By Me” and “The Breakfast Club” as rewarding movies that take young people seriously, had the opportunity for some personal nostalgia during the filming.
“I loved ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ (which is featured in the film) when I was growing up in Pittsburgh,” he said. “I saw it at the Hollywood Theater in Dormont, Pa., and that’s where you went on weekends. Where else would you get to see girls dressing in corsets?
“I’m no fool.”
Gaul on the radio
My “At the Movies” radio segment airs live at 11:35 a.m. every Friday as part of “The Dom Giordano Show” (WPHT-AM/1210 and www.thebigtalker1210.com).
The broadcast includes discussions of newly released movies and DVDs as well as motion picture news and cinema trends.
A different version of my “At the Movies” segment can be heard on Burlington County College radio station WBZC-FM/88.9, 95.1 and 100.7 on Fridays at 8:45 a.m. and 12:45 and 4:45 p.m. and on Saturdays at 10:45 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. The show can also be heard online at www.z889.org.
Gaul on the Web
My film reviews, features and columns can be found under entertainment/movies on our website, www.phillyBurbs.com.
Lou Gaul: 609-871-8055; email: lgaul@phillyBurbs.com