(*Spoilers*)
The Perks of Being a WallflowerThere's a scene in this film that really makes me sad as well as happy every time I see it. It starts when Patrick is tripped in the cafeteria by someone sitting at a table with Patrick's ex-boyfriend; Patrick stalks toward his ex, Brad, and asks if he's going to do anything about it. Of course, Brad says no, and Patrick makes a whispered and empty threat about telling everyone at the table that Brad is gay (or bisexual, it never really confirms), and he has all these bruises he has because his dad beat him up for it. Patrick walks away, and Brad shouts, "Whatever, f****t." and basically Patrick turns back and decks him. The rest of the kids at Brad's table then get up, and start beating on Patrick. Patrick's step-sister, Sam, tries to intervene, but she's pushed back and then held back by her two best friends. By now, the entire population of the cafeteria is watching in a cliche circle around the fight. Charlie, an old friend of Patrick's, steps in before seeing red and knocks all Brad's friends out.
See, this scene makes me sad for several obvious reasons:
1. I hate the word "f****t" with a burning passion, and believe it is never okay to use, ever ever ever.
2. The way Sam is pushed back into the circle looks really aggressive and painful.
3. I hate how no one else tries to intervene besides Sam and Charlie. If there's a fight, always do what you can to break it up. You might just save a life.
4. I hate the way Patrick is treated. I don't care who your ex is, or what they did to you, you never treat someone this way, especially if just a week ago you said you loved them. Because obviously if you can treat them that way, you never actually loved them.
5. Patrick is initially tripped by Brad's "pet ape" as he called him, because he's gay. I don't even have time to get in to why that's so wrong; it really should be common sense.
But, despite the sad things, there are a few things that make me happy. Them being:
1. Charlie still steps in, even after Patrick and his friends abandoned him because he made one little mistake.
2. Sam tries to step in. Sibling love is stronger than any love.
3. Although it's always wrong to fight, Brad's friends stick up for him when he's punched by Patrick. Sure, they really shouldn't have, but it's cool that they stood up for their friend.
4. Patrick gives Brad two chances to help. Once when he says, "Aren't you going to do anything about this? Your pet ape just tripped me." and once after he threatens Brad when he tries to walk away before Brad calls him a "f****t"
5. Sam's friends try to protect her from getting involved. I'd be pissed if my friends held me back whilst my brother was being beat up, but it shows they care for her safety.
So yes, there are sad parts of this film, and happy parts in this film. Sometimes they're intermixed. But truly it's an amazing story and I would suggest it to anyone.
