Stephen
Chbosky directed and co-adapted the novel, Wonder,
and, abetted by a strong cast, has fashioned a simple tale of love and
acceptance that displays an abundance of heart and optimism. It is
a feel good movie that never betrays its emotions for manipulative sentiment
but rather from well-drawn characters and situations.
A
young boy, Auggie (Jacob Tremblay is wonderful in a challenging role), with a facial deformity, has been home
schooled until he attends middle school
amid fears of being treated differently and shunned. Supported by his loving parents and older
sister, Via (Izabela Vidovic), he frequently wears an astronaut’s helmet to
avoid being seen in public. At times, he
fantasizes a safe place where friends like Star
Wars’ Chewbacca welcome him with open arms. When he is befriended by a
fellow classmate, his world begins to change.
What’s special is
how the film isn’t just about Auggie but also those around him especially Via
(who feels neglected and at a crossroads in her life) and explores their back
stories, and
this makes these characters richer and more believable as you feel their empathy
and guilt. Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson
make ideal parents; Julia is the core of this family and Owen complements
her with some well-placed humor. The rest of the cast is quite good with special
mention to Mandy Patinkin as a caring principal.
Wonder is about fragile individuals and
how they support each other in hope of finding a ‘family’. Although it’s no secret how
the storyline will go, the film earns its emotional stripes, and no doubt tears will flow freely by the end
and justifiably so. This is the kind of film that engenders enormous goodwill
much like The Blind Side and Hidden Figures, and it’s just the sort of film that Oscar likes to
nominate.
***1/2
of **** stars
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