Wonder: Look for Extraordinary

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In “Wonder” Auggie, played by Jacob Tremblay, was born with a facial deformity called Treacher Collins syndrome. Brave Auggie endured more than 20 surgeries at 10 years-old. His selfless compassionate Mom Isabel, played by Julia Roberts, homeschooled her son, who now mainstreams into private school. Auggie, so weary of the frightened looks of others, cries asking his Mom, “Why am I so ugly?’ This is heartbreaking.

Roberts’s Isabel tells him that’s not what she sees. She sees his wonderful soul. True. Though that holds little solace for the 10-year-old who feels outcast. He is the kid who admits to walking with his head down to spare others the gazes.

Yes, the world can be unkind. Even among kids. On his school walk through three students, played by genuine Noah Jupe, Bryce Gheisar, and Elle Mckinnon, meet Auggie either looking away or at their shoes. Unlike adults, kids aren’t a good faker. In spite of all resilient Auggie says that people are extraordinary, “You just have to look.”

Writer and Director Stephen Chbosky’s “Wonder” is a wonder. His screenplay along with Steve Conrad and Jacob Thorne based on the book by R.J. Palacio is bold and fearlessly compassionate. Instead of maudlin sentimentality, Chbosky brazenly challenges our prejudice of appearances. Look for the person inside. There are a couple cutesy missteps like the Auggie’s joke about plastic surgery. Regardless, “Wonder” has a pure heart that authentically touches and inspires.

The screenplay based on Palacio book brilliantly portrays multiple character viewpoints of Auggie’s story. Izabella Vidovic is the amazing standout as his loving sister Via (Olivia). Via’s distant best friend Miranda, played by gentle Danielle Rose Russell, once told her that her family revolves around the son, not the daughter. Via knows that she could have been Auggie in the family genetic roulette. However, she suffers in the shadows of all the love shining upon Auggie. Robert’s epiphany of the cost to her daughter is tearful. Roberts and Vidovic viscerally capture love in forgiveness and seeing the other as greater. Owen Wilson as Dad Nate is a welcome whimsical relief. Wilson provides surprising gravitas as well. In the amazing scene, Dad tells Auggie about that space helmet he used to hide his face.

Charming Nadji Jeter plays theater geek Justin, who sees Via’s beautiful soul. He sees her. Likewise, Noah Jupe’s Jack’s eyes widen realizing his cruel thoughtless words about Auggie to impress his friends. Words matter. The way we look at others also matters. “Wonder” is both laughter and tears.

In the end, the wondrous boy with the deformed face and big heart reminds us that people can be extraordinary. A wise man once said that what he was good at doing was looking at things. Not to understand them. Rather he wanted to be with. All we have to do is look with our hearts and see the wonder.

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Originally Published on IMDb

Photo Credit by: Escape at the Lake

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