The Perks of Being A Wallflower (Directed by Stephen Chbosky)

Opening sequence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQPhbA1luzw

(Opening sequences for coming of age films introduce the main character in their purist form of innocence and doubt preceding their journey of self discovery. For the following four film analysis posts I will be looking closely at cinematography analysing the different shots and also sound and how their execution enhances the stories.)

The Perks of Being A Wallflower feels a very personal film with main character Charlie being introduced when he is writing a letter directly to the viewer. There are no front on shots of Charlie until two and a half minutes in but he is cleverly introduced by an over the shoulder shot where we see his reflection in the window. The blurriness of his reflection gives a slight sense of uncertainty as to who he really is since he appears out of focus at first. "Please don't try to figure out who I am," Charlie says along with the mysterious shot whilst we do exactly what he says not to; try to figure out who he is.

Charlie barely participates actively in school and has no social life outside of his family so he has a large amount of room to grow for the rest of the film. The mid shot of him walking in the school hallway shows him disconnected from the other students. "The power of framing...involves careful construction by filmmakers"(2) which here sheds light on his loneliness and ‘difference’ from these kids his age. He has a tendency to hide away from attention and stay under the radar and yet this must be the very reason for him being a victim of bullying. 

In terms of sound a pre-recorded voice over has been used for the opening shots once Charlie is in the picture speaking directly to the viewer. His voice over meant to "connote trustworthiness."(1) This already puts the viewer in amongst the film so that they feel a part of the main characters life. Shots continue to be at the eye level including over the shoulder type shots of what would seem a student watching all of the scenes. This would be what we’re meant to feel, as though we’re a student watching Charlie. The background music and voice overs pause once Mr Anderson’s English class begins. This signals a sense of reality since there is no ‘background music’ to peoples lives. So the nondiegetic music briefly stops. Point of view shots are also included giving the viewer a sense of what it is like to be Charlie and Mr Anderson when they are conversing. 

The background music in general creates a sense of continuity from shot to shot, to have a seamless effect with the jump cuts. The song “Asleep” by the Smiths is played on a mix tape from his sisters boyfriend as diegetic music since it “has its source in the narrative world.”(3) Music plays an important part in the film for Charlie and there is a theme of soft toned, and at times sad music such as “Asleep.” The listening of this for the first time marks the start of the music he discovers throughout the film. The choice of soundtrack also reflects on the characters calm and usually sad mood. Charlie in this panning shot is focusing solely on the words of the music, "sing me to sleep." The shot seems rather intrusive on his personal space and time as he slouches on his bed listening to this tape.

(1) Corrigan and White. The Film Experience, Chapter 5; Listening to the Cinema: Film Sound, Page 193. Bedford/St. Martin's. 
(2) Corrigan and White. The Film Experience, Chapter 3, Framing What We See: Cinematography, Page 106. Bedford/St. Martin's. 

(3) - Corrigan and White. The Film Experience, Chapter 5; Listening to the Cinema: Film Sound, Page 286. Bedford/St. Martin's.