Wonder

WONDER (PG)

D: Stephen Chbosky

Lionsgate/Mandeville/Participant Media/Walden Media/TIK (David Hoberman & Todd Lieberman)

US 2017

113 mins 

Drama

W: Jack Thorne, Steve Conrad & Stephen Chbosky [based on the novel by R.J. Palacio]

DP: Don Burgess

Ed: Mark Livolsi 

Mus: Marcelo Zarvos & Bea Miller

Julia Roberts (Isabel Pullman), Owen Wilson (Nate Pullman), Jacob Tremblay (August 'Augie' Pullman), Izabela Vidovic (Olivia Pullman), Noah Jupe (Jack Will)

Wonder is the story of August Pullman, a young boy with a rare facial deformity (Treacher Collins Syndrome), and his family around him.

Home-schooled by his mother from early childhood, his parents now feel the time is right to enrol him at a public school where he initially has trouble fitting in, but his creativity and intellect help him find acceptance and attain friendships. Simultaneously, his sister has her own troubles with friendships and relationship and his parents have there own issues to deal with.

This drama film does have very good intentions, but comes off as very twee and the fact that the Pullman family are more on the socialite side of society than working-middle class does damage the triumph over adversity theme. 1985's Mask (qv) tackled similar themes in a much better way and was a significantly better film.

Wonder has good performances and excellent makeup work, and makes for good family viewing, but it also feels like an Oscar-grab movie with its overall treatment. Worth a single watch, but it won't inspire you with wonder.

6/10