Wonder - Review

Wonder 

Based on the New York Times bestseller, “WONDER” tells the inspiring and heartwarming story of a young boy named August Pullman. In the film we find the central character who prefers to be called “Auggie” is born with a facial abnormality ("mandibulofacial dysostosis", aka “Treacher Collins syndrome”) that up until now has prevented him from going to a mainstream school with other children. But his mother Isabel (Julia Roberts) who has taught him at home from birth realizes his reluctance to blend and interact with other kids his own age can‘t go on forever. So with love and support from Isabel, from Auggie’s father Nate (Owen Wilson) and his sister Via they all agree that it is time for him to attend the organize school Breecher Middle School.

As to be expected Auggie’s transition into the real world with other kids is marked with some cruelty, some kindness and some moments that will define his character into adulthood. It’s this transit in the film that is the core to its plot where we get to observe how the love and strength of his family, the growing acceptance and respect of his new classmates and the overall compassion of the larger community takes us the viewer on a moral message  journey. A moral tender heartfelt message journey where all those who are touched by Auggie’s life gain some new found measure of courage and kindness in their own life.

REVIEW: Actor Jacob Tremblay, who rose to fame in the Academy Award nominated film “Room”, plays Auggie splendidly. You never see someone acting under some fake prosthetic, rather during its 1:13 minute running time you discover just the opposite. A tiny  blossoming life that is decent, smart, affable and endearing in the form of Auggie Pullman, who struggles balancing the enduring support and love of his family and teachers while persevering bravely well beyond his physical years against the cruelties perpetuated towards him daily.

While Wonder" has some rare moments of just plain old corniness, it is not some Hallmark card overly sentimental schmaltzy tale. It stays effectively in the lane of reality of what parents and children go through when dealing with difficult emotional issues. The result is a sweeping arc of a story in “Wonder” that delivers a charming, sweet and infectious story of people making hurtful mistakes but who also show a capacity to figuring things out to eventually being kind and respectful towards one another.

“Wonder” delivers a wondrous cinematic lesson on the power of human compassion, self-acceptance, the acceptance of differences and the expression of human kindness. Without trying to drag tears out of the viewing audience, it still will tug on your heart with the warm compelling message for all to look at others beyond their physical surface or mask. And when someone is able to grow emotionally enough to do that without ever thinking about it,............ well as it was stated in the film,............. "When given a choice between being right (to others) and being kind (to others)……………choose kind.".

3.25 Stars