Since he wrote The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Chbosky aspired to adapt it into a film, calling this a "lifelong dream".[7] After the publication of the novel, the author said he received film offers, refusing them because he "owed the fans a movie that was worthy of their love for the book.'[5] In 2010 Mr. Mudd began developing a film version,[38] and the author was signed to write and direct the film by producers John Malkovich, Lianne Halfon, and Russell Smith.[38] The film, shot in the Pittsburgh area from May 9 to June 29, 2011,[39] starred Logan Lerman as Charlie, Emma Watson as Sam, Ezra Miller as Patrick, and Nina Dobrev as Charlie's sister, Candace.[40]
With the announcement of a film adaptation, the novel received more attention; its sales increased from 88,847 copies in 2011 to 425,933 in 2012,[41] and it reached the New York Times bestseller lists.[42] It entered the Children's Paperback Books category on the June 23, 2012 list,[43] and had 1.5 million copies in print in November 2012.[42] As of May 11, 2014 it appeared on The New York Times' top 10 list for the 71st non-consecutive week,[44] and was in the top 15 on the November 23 list.[45]
The film premiered on September 8, 2012 at the Toronto International Film Festival,[46] and was released theatrically in the United States by Summit Entertainment on September 21.[47] According to Metacritic it has received "generally favorable reviews," with an average of 67 out of 100, based on 36 reviews.[48] Rotten Tomatoes reported an 85% approval rate, based on 172 reviews.[49] The film grossed over $33 million worldwide[47] from a $13 million production budget.[42]
There is a special features section on the DVD with scenes that were shot, but didn't make it into the film. Among the scenes that were omitted from the film adaptation: In the book, Charlie's parents are told by his mentor Bill that Candace is being abused by her boyfriend, to which, in the book, his parents take direct intervention in the abusive relationship; those events are not depicted by the film. Also omitted from the film is the side-story where Candace gets pregnant by her abusive boyfriend and is accompanied by Charlie to the abortion clinic. In addition, the poem presented in the book was filmed, but deleted from the theatrical cut.[50]
