Wonder (Full Review)
- Brady Moore
- Nov 24, 2017
- 1 min read
I just recently got married. And of course, this logically leads to that inevitable annoying question: “When are you having kids?”. Parenting can be both an exciting and terrifying journey. Wonder, adapted from R.J. Palacio’s 2012 novel, is a nerve-racking, but beautiful illustration of just how nuanced that journey can be.
Wonder tells the story of a boy named Auggie (Jacob Tremblay) who was born facially disfigured. After years of spending time with his boisterous father (Owen Wilson) and being home schooled by his overprotective mother (Julia Roberts), Auggie is thrust into the fifth grade where he is forced to deal with the terrifying reality of making friends, bullying, and all that encompasses that of childhood social interaction. But it isn’t all about Auggie. His older sister (Izabela Vidovic) tries to deal with living without the full attention of her parents as well as the drifting away of her best friend (Danielle Rose Russell).
Wonder is the most heartwarming film of 2017. Tremblay is marvelously triumphant in the lead role and makes Auggie the kind and intelligent yet wholesome child every parent desires. The supporting cast also works wonders (pun intended). Julia Roberts gives heart and soul as Auggie’s mother and Owen Wilson brings his trademark exuberance and charm as Auggie’s dad. Their chemistry as a couple also gels without the slightest wrinkle. Younger actors can be hit or miss, but in Wonder, each supporting youngster (Bryce Gheisar, Noah Jupe, Elle McKinnon, Millie Davis) delivers each line with utter perfection.
Things can feel a bit too light and fluffy at times, but the drama that encompasses the story and the attention given to the supporting characters makes Wonder feel like something wholly realistic and true. Even characters you want to dislike are given depth that makes them relatable and their actions relatively understandable. It is a story perfect for people of all ages and if watching it doesn’t give you hope and a sense of love for the strength and capacity of the human spirit, then I don’t know what will.
FINAL GRADE: A
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