a WONDERful Movie
WONDER is a movie based on a book about a boy with a facial disfigurement. The book is no about a particular or REAL boy but it speaks for anyone who has had to go through life looking or being "different" for no fault of their own. I'm sure that most of us can relate to that at some level. If it is at a personal level, my heart goes out to you.
Manyof us have been bullied at some time for one reason or another. When it is for reasons we cant control, it is especially hurtful. Bullying has become a SERIOUS problem in schools and elsewhere. Such is the case for "Auggie Pullman" who was born with a facial deformity.
Other than that, he is a GREAT kid. Smart, full of life, and like anyone, he is searching for as normal of a life as possible. He wants friends and wants to BE a friend. He wants to "fit in" with his peers and be accepted.
Kids can be crule. Some is out of ignorance. Some is out of not knowing how to deal with someone or something that is different. Worst of all some of it is LEARNED from stupid abusive parents. We learn this later on in the movie.
Each significant character in the movie has a story to tell, Auggies sister takes a back seat in the family because she is older and it is assumed that she has her life together. She doesnt need her parents attention as much as Auggie. But things are not always what they seem.
Auggie makes a friend at school which is great to see, but the friend has pressures from his other friends who essentially dont want to accept Auggie or want him to be Auggies friend. Again each has a story to tell.
What I like is that although the Characters are fictional, we see each of them as REAL people in a real situation. By the end I almost expected to see the actual characters the movie is based on but they dont actually exist. Seeing the movie, we see them as very real and we can probably relate to some of them ourselves. For me there was a bit of soul searching. We have all made "gaffs" when it comes to insensitivity at one time or another. Most of mine were not intentional but were lack of knowledge or momentary thoughtlessness. Sometimes anger brings it out.
For those who seem to thrive on bullying tactics, we often wonder WHY.
We are all hardwired to seek out what we find pleasant or attractive in some way. We tend to be repelled by things that look different or unpleasant. When it comes to people, we dont take the time to see past what is on the surface and look at the person beyond what we see. I honestly have found that people who seen rather plain or ordinary, "look" a lot nicer when I find a really great person behind the face. For kids like Auggie, you just need to look past what you see and find the loyal great kid that just wants to be accepted.
I think we all have something to learn and something to gain when we see the movie.
Those of us who are not judgemental will still find the situation will stir our emotions and make us think.
One thing that makes for a good movie is one where we become interested in the source material. I plan to buy and read the book.
I was drawn to this movie because of Jacob Tremblay who has already done some AMAZING work in other films. This one is no exception. He is a perfect Choice for Auggie.
I think that Owen Wilson was a good choice for Auggies dad. He brings some needed lightness" to the movie. Julia Roberts is also a great choice as Auggies mom.
I was also very impressed with Noah Jupe as Jack, Auggies friend. Noah was Also in Suburbicon and did a very good job in a very significant role. Noah and Jacob team up very nicely. I like Noahs role as a kid who has to make choices of his friendship and loyalty and ultimately makes good choices. We learn from that.
It is sad that this movie may be overshadowed by The Justice League. It may be entertaining but it really doesnt touch your heart.
I AM happy to see that WONDER is getting some significantly good reviews from many critics. I am not one to let critics do my thinking for me but its nice to see so many are seeing good qualities and good performances in this movie