Production –
“Wonder” was released on November 17, 2017. It produced by Lions gate, Mandeville Films, and Walden Media. The movie was directed by Stephen Chbosky. It is not based off a true story but inspired by real-life events and conditions. The movie originates from the novel written in 2012 by R.J. Palacio. The original budget was $20 million USD but the movie ended up grossing over $315 million USD. Upon release this movie received an 86% on the tomatometer and an 88% on the popcornmeter. This movie is rated PG and is safe for age 8 and older.
Summary –
“Wonder” is a heartwarming and uplifting film that tells the story of August “Auggie” Pullman. Auggie is a young boy with facial differences navigating mainstream school for the first time. The movie beautifully captures Auggie’s emotional journey, showcasing his resilience and the challenges he faces with empathy and sensitivity.
What makes “wonder” so impactful is its focus on kindness, acceptance and the importance of looking beyond appearances. The performances are stellar, with Jacob Tremblay delivering a standout portrayal of Auggie, bringing both vulnerability and strength to the character. Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson shine as his supportive parents, adding warmth and humor to the story.
White the plot follows a fairly predictable structure, the film’s emotional depth and genuine message resonate deeply. “Wonder” is a feel-good movie that reminds us of power and compassion and the beauty of human connection, making it a worthwhile watch for audiences of all ages.
The movie explores themes of kindness, acceptance, and empathy, showing how Auggie navigates social challenges and changes the perspectives of those around him. It’s Told from multiple viewpoints, giving depth to the supporting characters and their own struggles. While some find it emotionally manipulative, many praise its heartwarming message and strong performances from the cast.
Key moments –
Some key moments in the movie are when Auggie removes his astronaut helmet for the first time at school, His Halloween experience, the camping trip, and the graduation ceremony.
Auggie taking off his astronaut helmet was a key moment in the story. It symbolized him stepping out his comfort zone and showing his true self to the world. During Auggie’s Halloween he overhead his best friend Jack talking bad about him. This ended up leading to a major argument and a turning point in the friendship. Auggie’s camping trip was very important to his development, it showed him facing his fears and replying on his friends for support, which helped him grow more confident and independent. During the graduation ceremony Auggie proved his resilience and growth throughout the story. It was a celebration of his achievements and acceptance by his peers, also highlighting how far he had come since the start of school.
Auggie’s struggles and how he dealt with them-
Throughout the movie Auggie felt like an outsider and had to navigate through many challenges in order to make friends and fit in. He faced struggles like social isolation, bullying, self-esteem issues and struggling to fit in due to his facial differences. Auggie coped by finding support in his family and friends, developing resilience through facing challenges, using his sense of humor to attempt to diffuse tense situations, and ultimately gaining confidence as he proves his worth to his peers.
Auggie learned the importance of self-acceptance, resilience the value of true friendship and that kindness can make a big difference. He taught other children in his circle about empathy, acceptance and looking beyond just appearances. Auggie showed them that being different is okay and that kindness can have a massive impact. He also demonstrated the importance of standing up for what is right and being a true friend.
Impact on viewers-
“Wonder” had a significant impact on viewers. Many viewers felt sorrowful and sad after watching the movie. It was very heartfelt, as it dealt with depression, anxiety and many other emotions. On the other hand, many viewers felt joy and triumph after watching Auggie overcome his challenges and finally thrive in school.
Melissa Abrams, an English teacher at Colonia High, gave me this quote when I interviewed her. “Wonder is an inspirational and heartfelt movie, that teaches everyone the importance of personality over looks.”
On the other hand, Shane Litterer, a student at Colonia High, said, “Personally, I think the movie is very slow paced and childish. The main target audience should be children, I found it quite boring but it was enjoyable at times.
