As we grow older, we all have to learn to say goodbye, whether it be departing from a person as they move on in life or, in the occasion of death, as they move on from life. Goodbye may be the most difficult word in the English language because it verbalizes an ending, rather than a beginning. Movies are able to articulate feelings that we either deny or prolong, like the bittersweet endings we encounter. The film The Perks of Being a Wallflower perfectly illustrates the ideology of acceptance and learning to say goodbye.  

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a film based on Stephen Chbosky’s best-selling novel of the same name. The instant classic follows the awkward high school freshman, Charlie (Logan Lerman), as he navigates his first year in high school. The protagonist viewed and perceived by not only others but also himself as a “wallflower,”  or a shy loner who observes rather than experiences. However, he encounters two seniors, Sam (Emma Watson) and Patrick (Ezra Miller), who change his perception. With the help of his new friends and his English teacher/mentor, Mr. Anderson (Paul Rudd), he learns acceptance and the value of friendship.

Once Sam and her stepbrother, Patrick, discover Charlie’s troubled past, they take him under their wing. As Charlie becomes a part of their friend group, they help him deal with his depression regarding his aunt’s death, which had caused to be in constant denial and experience recurring visions. Through their support, he is able to reach out to those around him and build trust. Furthermore, Mr. Anderson teaches him to appreciate literature, to be confident, and not to fear what others say about him.

By the end of the film, Charlie has to learn to say goodbye when all of his friends are moving on to college. This moment shows the audience that all things must end,  whether we want them to or not. From each of the characters, we learn valuable lessons that directly correlate to our lives. From Sam, we learn that no matter how hard you need to work, it is never too late to turn your life around and live the life you were meant to live. From Patrick, we are taught to never be ashamed to be exactly who we are, and the people who truly care will support you regardless. Lastly, from Charlie, we learn that being a “wallflower” doesn’t mean you have to be alone.
As we grow older, time seems to blur memories, and we may tend to forget about the feeling of loneliness and isolation. But through this coming-of-age film, you will revisit those feelings and sympathize with the characters. Despite the fact that the novel was more popular, the film does do it justice. I firmly believe this movie shows the audience that a farewell doesn’t have to mean it’s the end, although it may seem so. Through this movie, we ease our own fear of change as we learn that “goodbye” is a simple verbal way of departing, but can also refer to a brief break until people encounter each other again.