I loved this movie. Yes, it’s a teen movie, but it’s completely unlike others: it’s deep, painful, real, and most importantly, unpredictable. The layers of Charlie’s angst peel away slowly. My movie companion actually missed the key layer, much to her surprise. But that, to me, was part of the beauty: you discover, gradually, the depth of Charlie and his hurt as he too discovers so much. Just as I thought the movie was setting up one plot line, it zagged into another, seamlessly.
Keep your eye on Logan Lerman. He’s got incredible potential. Sadly, perhaps Emma Watson is still too Hermione for me; it was much more difficult to take her in this role, especially as she hasn’t quite fully mastered the American accent enough—certainly not enough to sound like any of the other Pittsburgh folks I know.