Wonder film review

Wonder is a 2017 drama film written and directed by Stephen Chbosky, famous for novel and film versions of The Perks of Being a Wallflower. This time, the subject matter is a little different, and the story isn't based on his novel, but R.J Palacio's. It tells the story of August "Auggie" Pullman, a young boy with Treacher Collins Syndrome, played by Jacob Tremblay. It also stars Owen Wilson and Julia Roberts as his parents.

I'm normally very cynical about films that deal with disabilities. More often that not, they're more like disability porn than films which are actually about living with a disability (see To The Bone.) However, there are films which deal with matters like this in a positive way - The Elephant Man did a very good job of it, and there are likely many other films which have too. Fortunately, Wonder is in the latter category.

The primary message of this film is acceptance - both for the person living with disability, and the people who spend time with the disabled. Where a lot of films like this hold the message that people with disabilities must do something to be accepted by society, Wonder is firm in its belief that society should adapt for all kinds of people, and it was refreshing to see it. There are countless films which are dark, moody and cynical, and it's about time we saw one with a positive outcome.

There isn't really much more to say about it. Wonder doesn't exactly reinvent the wheel, but it's a perfectly entertaining, solidly made film with some very good performances. If you go into the screening in a bad mood, I can pretty much guarantee you'll come out uplifted and have a smile on your face. I'll admit it - I did cry a little at some points.

Score: B+