As a reader it is always a conundrum when deciding if the plot is less or more important, than the characters in a book. I loved reading the Perks of Being a Wallflower, which was mostly character driven. When a novel is character driven you get to know the main character really well, I felt really did connect with Charlie in the Perks of Being a Wallflower. However, I also have a liking for fast paced plot driven novels. One example being Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. This novels has lots of funny characters which are used to enhance the plot. Good Omens is a really funny book but you never fully connect with a single character on an emotional level.
I believe that the plot can be balanced by detailed narrative concerning specific characters. It is no surprise to see book series like a Song of Ice and Fire and Harry Potter do so well. Both book series have interesting plots, but you also get to really know the characters. Granted the plot for a Song and Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Maritn, is long and complicated, but the fact the story is told through various viewpoints enables the reader to connect with many characters.
There is a reason why Dracula by Bram Stoker is still widely read and that is because it is a perfect balance between character development and plot building. In my opinion good films follow a similar formula. Iron 3 was better than Iron 2, because it balanced out the epic action sequences with good character development. As a viewer I want to know who Iron Man really is.
My conclusion is that character development is equally important as plot development, though neither work without a good setting and concept.
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