Director: Stephen
Chbosky; Cast: Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Jacob Tremblay, Mandy
Patinkin based on the Story of: R. J. Palacio; Screenplay: Jack Thorne,
Steve Conrad, Stepehn Chbosky; Cinematography: Don Burgess; Editing:
Mark Livolso; Music:Marcelo Zarvos; Producers: Michael Beugg, Dan
Clark, David Hoberman, Todd Liebermen; Genre: Comedy-Drama; Location: New York; Distributor:
Lionsgate Running Time: 140 minutes
Technical assessment: 4
Moral assessment: 4.5
CINEMA rating: VA
MTRCB rating: PG13
For
the longest time, Auggie has been homeschooled by his mom Isabel (Roberts)
because of the fear of the other children’s reaction to his physical
deformities. This year, Auggie starts 5th grade and Isabel thinks
this is the best time for him to enter formal school since every student will
be a newcomer. In school, Auggie excels in class but struggles to deal with
bullies and false friends. He develops friendship with Jack Will but is
devastated when he overhears him saying he only pretended to be friends and
would kill himself if he looked like Auggie. He is befriended by another 5th
grader named Summer and eventually forgives Jack who realizes his friendship
with Auggie was real. Meanwhile, Via is going through her own struggles because
she has been feeling left out by her mother and her childhood best friend
Miranda is suddenly ignoring her. As Auggie works out the ordeals of being
ostracized, he rediscovers his family’s unequaled love and support and finally
gains the admiration and respect of the entire school as he is awarded the
Henry Ward Beecher Prep Medal for showing that strength is measured by the
number of hearts he can carry.
The
strength of Wonder is the
storytelling and how each element fell perfectly in place. Needless to say, the
plot is compelling and tight as it is a bestselling novel, but translated into
film, it deepened and made the situation so simply relatable. Tremblay and
Robert’s chemistry was unquestionably authentic that it was so easy to see each
other’s joy and pain. While it remained faithful to the printed material, the
silver screen version offered raw insights into the different levels of
struggle a family goes through. It would be difficult not to fall in love with
Auggie and his family or with his story and the storytelling.
This
is one of those movies that the entire family should watch together. It not
only shows real difficulties family members go through individually but more
importantly how the pain, trials and challenges are overcome when they are
united. The movie transcends bullying and insecurity issues because it
emphasizes love, support. and communication. While the original novel was
written as a children’s book, the messages are for the whole family. If there
is one must-watch family movie this year, make it this one.
