The DePaulia had the unique opportunity to participate in an interview with actor Logan Lerman from the new film “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” Talking with Lerman was as natural as sitting down with an old friend. He was engaging, down to earth and quietly hilarious.

Lerman plays Charlie, the main character in the film. Lerman’s subtle portrayal of a pained teenager was flawless, though doubt never escaped him. When asked if he ever worried that there was anything missing from his performance, he responded with a simple, “Yeah, totally. Actors in general are very insecure people.”

Lerman was provided with a rare filming situation while working on the movie. Stephen Chbosky, the director of the movie, also wrote the beloved eponymous book from which it originated. While this relationship between director and literature may cause anxiety in some, Lerman showed no hint of hesitation about working with Chbosky.

“It wasn’t intimidating at all, actually,” he said. “Working with the author of the book, we were both going into it nervous – I was nervous about my character and working on it and trying to get it right and he was nervous about making a film for the first time; we complemented each other.”

Lerman and Chbosky seemed to have struck the perfect balance, but it was not without an incredible cast. The trio of Lerman, Ezra Miller and Emma Watson was dynamic.

“All of the people who are a part of the project are people I have always wanted to work with,” said Lerman. “They are incredible actors but equally as great people. We had a great time making it; it was a wonderful collaboration.”

While the movie is imbued with intensity, the little humorous moments stood out in Lerman’s memory. The characters in the movie are “Rocky Horror” fanatics and Lerman discussed viewing the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” for the first time and learning what was in store for him.

“I was scared after seeing that,” he said. “I was like, ‘F**k I have to wear the gold thong.’ It was nerve-wracking. Oh I was so uncomfortable – so uncomfortable. I feel really guilty saying this because I’m one who usually likes to go 100 percent for everything. But there was a good hour-long conversation before that scene where I was begging the cast and Steve to go with not like the tighty-whitey thong thing that I wore, but more like briefs or something like that and everybody was like ‘No, you’re not f**king doing that. You’re getting into the thong.’ I was like really nervous.”

The enjoyment that went into making this film was apparent in everything Lerman said. To him, it was a journey to make the film. In the past, he has often worked on larger scale movies like the action-packed “Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thieves”; this movie was a welcome change.

“It was really refreshing,” said Lerman. “It was really nice, ’cause I like strong characters with real, human problems with human conflict and it was nice to work on something like that.”

Lerman was strikingly humble and claimed many times that his first passion is being behind the camera. He explained that filmmaking was why he became involved with acting in the first place. Perhaps it is his desire to remain out of the limelight that makes his humility both on and off screen so endearing.

“I never really grew up in the spotlight,” he said. “I did films but no one really knew who the hell I was. They still don’t, which is kinda nice to have some sort of anonymity.”

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is a film that is subtle, but truly moves. Lerman’s insight makes it apparent what a labor of love it truly is. The cast bonded perfectly, the director was inspired and thrilled and the final product is simply stunning. Its message plumbs the human spirit, but Lerman does not want his audience to lose sight of simply loving a film.

“The one thing I want anybody to take away from this film the most is just entertainment,” he said. “Above that, it’s feeling secure with who you are and not feeling insecure about yourself. Just feeling comfortable in your own skin and just feeling free, basically.”

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is now in theaters everywhere.