'Perks Of Being A Wallflower' Director Shares Love For Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- "Perks of Being a Wallflower" is just hitting theaters, but in Pittsburgh, one scene is already becoming legendary -- Emma Watson standing on the back of a pick-up truck, virtually flying through the Fort Pitt Tunnel.

Author and director Stephen Chbosky, says this is his favorite scene in the movie.

"I drove through that tunnel growing up 1,000 times. All the great dreams and we all know it's the most beautiful entrance to a city and to a skyline in the world," he said.

He even got to do something he'd never done.

"It was raining and to stop actually stop in the middle of the tunnel to dry off the windshield so it would match the other shots – to actually stand in Ft. Pitt Tunnel that was pretty great."

Watson now calls Pittsburgh one of her favorite cities anywhere.

"I honestly think this is one of the best young casts of any coming of age movie ever. I would put this cast right up with 'Rebel Without a Cause,' 'The Graduate,' you name it, 'The Breakfast Club.'"

"Perks of Being a Wallflower" loosely follows Chbosky's own personal story. He set the movie in the early '90's, just a few years after he graduated from Upper Saint Clair High School. It's about a group of self-described misfits.

Chbosky even used his own neighborhood where he grew up, and he got his mom, dad and sister in the movie.

"I filmed Luminaria at Christmas Eve on my street growing up and my parents got $1,500 in location fees, dream come true across the board," he said. "They're retired. It came in handy."

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