Dreams of Stardom (Hollywood SI)

Benji Cooper felt more than pumped to see Troy's new film. While he had been in contact with Troy, it was difficult to talk to him regularly because they were in different time zones. It didn't help that Troy was super busy most of the time and could hardly spare more than a few minutes to chat. Seeing Troy's first non-Harry Potter movie in four years was an event Benji couldn't miss.

It had been difficult for him to get the tickets, but he eventually succeeded. Reading comments on the internet, however, made it clear that not everyone had been as lucky.

MovieBuffGeek: Did anyone else find it difficult to get tickets for Troy's new movie? I asked around in three different movie theaters, but no show was available for the weekend.

ArmitageArmy: I know, right? I have been waiting so long for it. I thought it was a small indie film so no one will care about it. Now I regret not booking the tickets in advance.

TroyFan_88: NOOOO!!!!! Why is this happening???!!!! Why is Warner doing this?! Critics are showering praise on the movie, so why can't there be more shows as well?

MovieBuffGeek: Probably some bts drama we are not aware of. I have a feeling this will become Troy's first film to earn less than $100m, and all because of Warner Bros' mismanagement.

CynicalScribe: Let's start a new petition: #JusticeforPerks. They will have to listen to us if we do. Perks was my favorite book, but I can't see the movie because it is not available in any theater in my town.

LunaBliss: I saw it! It was legendary. Mark my words, Troy just earned himself another Oscar nomination.

SereneDreamer: Who cares about some fake awards? Did you see the scene where he does the Rocky Horror Picture Show? Troy in those golden speedos was exactly what I needed to satiate my lady boner. I will see the film again, just for that scene.

LunaBliss: I will also rewatch it, but only to see Troy's best performance to date.

MovieBuffGeek: At least let us first-time viewers watch the film and wait for a few weeks when the rush dies down. It's a nightmare getting those tickets right now.

ArmitageArmy: Exactly! We can't get tickets because of horny girls like you! (I'm not even sure if you are real girls or creepy old men.)

SereneDreamer: Fuck you @ArmitageArmy! If you wanna watch the film so badly, get in line, just like horny girls like us do.

LunaBliss: By the way, did anyone notice that Troy is donating all his profits from the film to a charity for kids? Can he get any more perfect?

RedPillRevealer: Isn't the charity set by him? Most celebs set up charities only for tax-saving purposes. It's probably a marketing gimmick employed by Warner. And since the film has a similar topic it makes sense for them to use that charity for promotions.

TroyFan_88: Troy came to my school along with his team. This was months after GOF had released and he didn't have anything to promote. He talked to us about his own childhood experiences and even about the woman who attacked him in his home. The charity conducts regular workshops in the UK, and they are very good. Troy was also so real and personal back then, that I know for sure that this is not a gimmick. He is very passionate about this cause for real.

MovieBuffGeek: Woah! Didn't know that. Now I'm even more pumped to see the film if some of the profits are going to a worthy cause.

"What are you doing?" Ashley asked. Benji looked up from his laptop to see her sitting bored on the couch. His mother wouldn't allow them to hang out in his room for obvious reasons, so they had to make do with the living room.

"Nothing much," he said before elaborating. "Just reading some reviews of the film online. People are mad at Warner for not scheduling enough showings."

"We're lucky we got the tickets when we did," Ashley said. "But if you're going to read reviews, check out real critics, not internet trolls."

With that, she got up and turned on the television, quickly switching to an entertainment news channel.

A man in his mid-to-late twenties appeared on screen, standing in front of a movie theater with a mic in his hand.

"As you can see behind me, there's a huge crowd waiting to get tickets for the biggest movie of the week—Troy Armitage's [The Perks of Being a Wallflower]. Fans are angry about the limited number of showings, most of which are already sold out. The film has received rave reviews from critics and is especially popular with teenagers for its relatability."

Benji turned to Ashley. "See? I told you that already. The internet's pretty fast at getting these details out."

Ashley didn't reply and just kept watching the TV.

The reporter walked over to a teenage boy standing in line and asked, "Hi. What film are you here to see today?"

"[The Perks of Being a Wallflower]," the boy replied eagerly. "I'll take whatever ticket they have available. I just hope I won't have to skip school next week to see it."

The reporter turned back to the camera and said, "This situation is playing out in most major cities and even in some smaller ones across the country. Let's take a look at some of the reviews that have made this film so popular with audiences."

The screen then displayed comments from some of the most notable critics in the U.S.:

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: Troy Armitage shows once again that he cannot be taken lightly as an actor. Emma Watson and Jonathan Groff are so fun to watch as siblings. Mila Kunis shines in all her scenes as a relatable older sister. I can't help but reminisce about my own teenage days.

Rating: 4/4

Ian Buckwalter, The Atlantic: [The Perks of Being a Wallflower] seems like the work of a much more experienced director, maintaining fidelity to the source material without sacrificing cinematic qualities. It triggers genuine sentimentality and nostalgia through the interaction of sound and image. See this film for astounding performances and a story steeped in realism.

Rating: 9/10

John Anderson, Newsday: Regardless of the viewer's proximity to their own high school experience, [The Perks of Being a Wallflower] gets it right, precisely because it's not about a specific time or place. Charlie is such a likable character, connecting with everyone regardless of age. It helps that Troy Armitage is the best casting decision for the film, making you want to root for him in every scene.

Rating: 3.5/4

"See?" Now it was Ashley's turn to be smug. "These are real reviews."

Benji just nodded. He had already read most of them, and in full detail, but he didn't want to mention that to his girlfriend. Girls needed to win arguments now and then to feel good about themselves, or so he thought.

The camera cut back to the male reporter, who said, "Unlike most films made today with a sole focus on earning profits, this one is a little special. Troy Armitage, the star of the film, not only financed it entirely but has also pledged that all profits will be donated to a charity—Frank Armitage's Foundation. This foundation, established by Troy, focuses on helping victims of child sex abuse. We decided to visit the foundation to see how it operates."

The scene transitioned to two women in their mid-twenties.

"I'm Sacha Robinson, here with Allison Cox, the director of the Frank Armitage Foundation," a young female reporter introduced herself, holding a mic. Turning to Allison, she said, "Allison, why don't you tell us about the history of this foundation and Troy Armitage's role in it?"

"Sure," Allison smiled at the camera. "We all know and love Troy Armitage for his movies. What many don't know is that he's an incredibly compassionate person. He used to visit a children's hospital where I volunteered, and we discovered we both had a shared passion for helping kids. Like most things in life, this required funding, and Troy has been instrumental in providing that. He regularly donates a significant portion of his income to the foundation. So far, we've been able to help over a thousand children in the UK. Now, we're expanding to key cities in the US, starting with New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston."

"How exactly do you help the children?" Sacha asked.

Allison's voice took on a passionate tone as she explained, "First and foremost, we provide therapy sessions. The victims aren't just kids—many are adults who couldn't access help when they were younger and are only now recognizing the abuse they endured. We also assist them in filing legal cases against their abusers. In some cases, we've had to remove children from harmful guardians and find alternative living arrangements. Each victim's story is unique, and every one of them is heartbreaking."

The reporter was silent for a moment before asking, "How do you keep going, knowing all of this?"

"The fact that we're making a difference is what keeps me going," Allison said with conviction. "Would you like to meet some of the people we've helped?"

"Absolutely," Sacha replied, then turned to the camera. "For privacy reasons, we'll conceal the identities of all victims."

Benji and Ashley watched quietly as the two women spoke to individuals whose faces were blurred for anonymity. Hearing the positive feedback about the foundation—and Troy in particular—was heartening.

"Did you know about this foundation?" Ashley asked.

"Yeah," Benji nodded. "I knew Troy had started it, but not much beyond that. Looks like they'll be opening a branch in New York soon."

"I would love to volunteer there," Ashley said. "It would help the victims and look so good on my college application. Do you think you can ask Troy to put me at the top of the list? After this film, everyone will want to work with it."

"I can ask, but we don't really talk much," Benji said uncomfortably. "He's busy most of the time. It's been over two months since we last talked, and even then, it was only for a few minutes."

"Oh," Ashley nodded, her enthusiasm dimming slightly. She glanced down at her wristwatch. "I guess we should get going now. The movie will start soon." She stood up and walked a few steps before noticing Benji hadn't moved. She shot him an impatient look.

"It's still over an hour before the show starts," Benji defended himself. "The theater's just fifteen minutes away. Come on, let's watch something on TV until then."

"Benjamin Cooper," Ashley said with mock seriousness. "You saw how packed all the shows are. If we don't get there early, we'll miss the good seats. And if we do, I definitely won't make out with you during the film."

Benji leapt to his feet, grabbing his jacket. "Why are you wasting time, woman? We will miss all the good seats!"

Ashley smirked. "Good boy."

It turned out they'd come at the perfect time. The theater was packed by the time the movie began but thankfully they snagged some of the best seats for couples—corner seats in the very last row.

And what a movie it was! From start to finish, every moment was captivating. Benji couldn't find a single fault. Troy, Emma, and the rest of the cast were exceptional. Then came the scene he knew he'd never forget: Charlie's first kiss.

"I just want to make sure that the first person who kisses you, loves you," Emma Watson, as Sam, said to Troy's Charlie before stepping closer and giving him one of the most heartfelt kisses in film history.

Benji glanced at Ashley, who was quietly shedding tears at the tender moment.

"Hey," Benji said softly, wiping her tears away before pulling her into a side hug.

To his surprise, Ashley leaned in and kissed him, mirroring the scene playing on-screen. Benji missed the next few minutes of the film because he was otherwise preoccupied, but in his opinion, it was completely worth it. And since Ashley was the first and only girl he had ever kissed, the scene took on even more significance for the two of them.

When the film ended, the couple walked out hand-in-hand, their hearts full. They were stopped in the lobby by a man conducting interviews about the movie.

"I loved it!" Ashley proclaimed excitedly. "Every second of it. Troy and Emma were amazing. I can't wait to see it again!"

"On a scale from A+ to F, how would you rate it?" the man asked.

"A+ for sure," Ashley said confidently.

Benji nodded in agreement, wholeheartedly echoing her sentiment.

(Break)

While the general audience may not have realized it, the hype surrounding the lack of shows and the use of the Frank Armitage Foundation in promotional efforts stemmed from Warner Bros.' strategic allocation of an increased marketing budget for the film. This approach also explained why only positive reviews were highlighted during the promotional campaign, conveniently ignoring any negative feedback.

It certainly helped that [The Perks of Being a Wallflower] was a crowd-pleaser, resonating deeply with its audience. Most viewers shed tears at some point during the film—sometimes from joy and nostalgia, other times from heartbreak over the protagonists' struggles and triumphs. The emotional connection ensured that the majority of the audience left the theater satisfied and moved.

Key moments that struck a chord with viewers included the scene where Charlie helps his sister get an abortion and the shocking revelation about his aunt, leading to his sister's immediate call to the police for Charlie's well-being. Emma Watson's first on-screen kiss with Troy Armitage was another highlight, receiving wide acclaim. Meanwhile, the Rocky Horror Picture Show sequences delighted fans for entirely different reasons.

From start to finish, the film had something for everyone, a feature Warner Bros. leveraged heavily in their marketing campaign.

This strategy proved successful, as the film's box office numbers reflected a rare trend in the movie industry. The first weekend brought in $28.4 million, but instead of declining, collections grew to $32.6 million in the second weekend—a remarkable feat. The third weekend saw a slight dip to $25.2 million, followed by a significant decline to $10.4 million in the fourth weekend. By the end of its theatrical run, [The Perks of Being a Wallflower] had earned $156.7 million in North America and $182.3 million internationally, bringing its worldwide total to an impressive $339 million—more than 30 times its production budget.

For Warner Bros., the investment had already paid off spectacularly. The studio had acquired a three-film deal with Troy Armitage, and even if the next two films underperformed, the massive success of Perks had secured their profits.

After deducting the theaters' share from the gross revenue, Warner's earnings stood at approximately $150 million. Of this, $25 million was attributed to the acquisition cost for Perks (bundled with Brick), leaving a gross profit of $125 million, excluding marketing and distribution expenses. Troy, as the film's producer, received 25% of the gross profit, amounting to $31 million, all of which would go to charity. After accounting for Troy's share and marketing expenses, Warner Bros. was left with a solid profit of approximately $75 million—a return of 300% on its initial investment. That too when the price of Brick is already added to the acquisition cost.

Moreover, the additional revenue from TV broadcasting rights and home video sales in the years to come would only bolster the studio's earnings, making [The Perks of Being a Wallflower] a resounding financial success for everyone involved.

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AN: Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful day and year. I wanted to thank each and every one of you for being my loyal readers. In the holiday spirit, I wanted to give you all a small gift.

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