The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Stephen Chbosky’s screen adaptation of his own much-loved coming of age tale features a soundtrack that is for want of a better word, beautiful. In the book itself, music was a massive influence on its main character, Charlie – and the translation of that need for lyrical therapy in the film is flawless. Capturing the essence of confused youth, as well as the hallmark traits of its characters (Charlie’s vulnerability, Sam’s free spirit, Patrick’s rambunctious eccentricity) this soundtrack isn’t just a collection of songs – it’s like a cohesive extension of its literary and cinematic counterparts that so vividly brings the story to life.
There are so many great songs in this film, by artists varying from Dexy’s Midnight Runners to The Smiths and New Order, but the most notable track has to be from one of the movie’s most pivotal scenes, in which the trio find their ‘tunnel song’ – ‘Heroes’ by David Bowie. The use of this song, as well as the imagery of the iridescent beauty that is Emma Watson, practically floating through the wind as she stands tall against the backdrop of the city is stunningly poignant and arrests you into the most incredible feeling of untarnished, carefree elation, which – for a film – is pretty rare.