Wonder

Wonder

Starring Jacob Tremblay, Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Izabela Vidovic

Directed by Stephen Chbosky

The Story:
Ten-year-old Auggie (Jacob Tremblay) was born with mandibulofacial dystosis, which required years of surgeries that resulted in a deformed face.  He's been home-schooled by his mother Isabel (Julia Roberts), but his father Nate (Owen Wilson) thinks fifth grade is the best time for Auggie to go to real school, because everyone will be new there.

Jacob meets three students - spoiled Julian (Bryce Ghesiar), self-absorbed Charlotte (Elle McKinnon), and Jack Will (Noah Jupe), who defends him.  At first, the kids stay away from Auggie and outcast him, causing him to not want to go back to school, but Jack Will befriends him, and soon things begin looking up for him.

Meanwhile, his older sister Via (Izabela Vidovic) is going through her own ordeals.  She just lost her grandmother, whom she felt closest to, and after summer her former best friend Miranda (Danielle Rose Russell) won't even talk to her anymore.  She meets Justin (Nadji Jeter), and joins the Drama Club- which Miranda is also a part of.  As they begin dating, Via begins to experience her own life, while seeing her parents spending more and more time with Auggie.

The Synopsis:
There's a danger going into films like "Wonder," and that's the subtle art of emotional manipulation.  You're going into this film already knowing there's going to be struggles and hardships, and no doubt tears will be involved.  Too many times, films like to manipulate these emotions with soaring music, over-the-top performances and a story tailor-made for tissue holding.  The filmmakers have an important task with tackling such issues - to tell a profound story that doesn't leave the viewer feeling manipulated for feeling the feelings they felt.  "Wonder" - to live up to its title - is one of those rare films that delicately tugs at your emotions with an actual purpose and doesn't make you feel manipulated afterward.  This is due to two major factors that, when placed together, form a standout film: the story, and the acting.

The story was written by R.J. Palacio, who managed to blend the stereotypical with the extraordinary.  You get your stereotypical stock characters: the wealthy bully, the snobby parents, the hip cool teachers, the understanding principal...but you also get the extraordinary in the deep characterization of other characters.  Auggie's friend Jack Will could've just been the typical understanding best friend, but we get to see an inside look as to how he first met Auggie and how he felt in his own words, as well as dealing with a heavily dramatic moment between the two that threatened their friendship forever.  Via could've been the caring, understanding sister of a brother with a deformity, but we get to see her own struggles with being abandoned and loosing her best friend, while also finding new love and new purpose.  Miranda could've been the traditional girl who was once a wallflower but over summer turned into someone different who ignores her former best friend, but we get to see why this all happened and how it affected her.  By telling multiple stories through the eyes of the actors, we get a well-adjusted picture of how everyday life affects everyone differently, and are compelled to be better people because of it.  The teacher has a quote on his board, and it's true to this film as well as life - "when given the choice between right or being kind, choose kind."

The actors themselves shine in vastly different ways in this film.  We see how they change in the most unlikely ways and they do so in a way that's wholly natural, without being forced to do so.  Moving from the least to the best:
-Owen Wilson.  As Auggie's father, he doesn't really have a lot going for him except providing the dry humor in the family situations.  Yet, there's a moment at the end of the film, where Wilson puts aside his naturally comedic side and delivers a powerful emotional blow.  Still, we know the least about his character and apart from that final moment, he pretty much remains static.
-Julia Roberts.  One of the most acclaimed actresses of our time, Roberts seems to be relegated to the background here, even when her character is front and center.  She gave up her education to take care of Auggie, and we see that beginning to develop, but other than that, all she does is take care of Auggie, try to take care of Via, and supply the generic stock-mother character.
-Danielle Rose Russell.  The character of Miranda is a vision, one that could've been relegated to your typical "we were once friends but after summer I became popular and cool and now I don't have time for you" character, but there's a sweet turn in her after we discover the real reason why she began ignoring Via.  It was a powerful moment, one of many for the redeeming character.
-Izabela Vidovic.  As the long-suffering Via, Izabela shows a demeanor of youthful angst and also a sweet side that could've been used for exploitative moments but instead felt natural.  We feel for her, feel for her losing her grandmother, losing her best friend, and being overlooked by her family in favor of Auggie's condition.  Never once did she lash out at them because of it, because she understands Auggie's needs, but she often feels abandoned to her own thoughts.  Vidovic is an inspired discovery who will hopefully have a long, successful career in Hollywood.
-Jacob Tremblay.  This kid is, as the film is called, a wonder.  He broke out in a huge way in 2015's "Room," opposite Brie Larson (who would later earn an Academy Award for her performance).  Many critics feel he should've earned a nomination himself, and the kid is a natural.  Not just is he a dynamo on screen, but he's absolutely adorable in real life, a kid who could sidestep the pitfalls of being a child actor.  Here, he absolutely shines.  He tackles the issues Auggie has in his own innocent way, and we see through his emotional eyes the issues he's struggling with even without saying them.  If he keeps landing roles like this, he'll emerge as a force of nature in cinema.

The film was released the same week as "Justice League," so expectations for the film's success were rather low.   Since its release on November 17, the film has grossed over $72 million dollars, far exceeding expectations.  This is because "Wonder" is a film that needs to be seen in this troubled, self-centered world.  It teaches us to be better human beings, to see others in a different light, to choose to be kind instead of right, and to be extraordinary.  As Via said in the film, "you can't blend in when you were born to stand out."

The Summary:
Blending an emotionally taxing story with top-notch acting, "Wonder" rises above the generic tear-jerker tales and delivers a powerful punch to the gut while also leaving you feeling hopeful about the future.

The Score: A