Sunday movie: Wonder – what you need to know

The film was directed by Stephen Chbosky and stars Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson. It was nominated for a ton of awards, including an Academy Awards for Best Makeup and Critic’s Choice Move Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Plot

August “Auggie” Pullman is a 10-year-old boy living in North River Heights in upper Manhattan, New York, with his mother Isabel, father Nate, older sister Olivia “Via”, and dog Daisy. He has a rare medical facial deformity, which he refers to as “mandibulofacial”, and has undergone 27 different surgeries as a result.

Auggie has been home-schooled, but as he approaches fifth grade, his parents decide to enroll him in Beecher Prep, a private school. Before the school year begins, Auggie meets with Mr. Tushman, the principal, who arranges a tour for him with three other students: Jack Will, Julian Albans, and Charlotte Cody. When school starts, Auggie is initially ostracized by nearly the entire student body, but soon forms a close friendships.

WATCH: Wonder Trailer

Review

Film critics praised Owen Wilson and Julia Roberts for “earnestly puring their hearts” into this production, and remarked that the realistic storyline and the actors’ extraordinary performances does Auggie’s tale justice.

Sappy films come a dime a dozen but there is something different about Wonder, something that pulls you in and makes you stay. It’s real, its raw and it is a definite must-see.

The main cast and characters

August Pullman (portrayed by Jacob Tremblay 

Our main character. The young boy with a facial deformity who had to deal with the stares and shunning his entire life.

Isabel Minel-Pullman (Julia Roberts)

Auggie’s mother. Julia Roberts said in an interview who working on the Wonder had changed her life.

Nate Pullman (Owen Wilson)

Auggie’s father. Owen Wilson loved how the film tackles all the tough issues and his performance received critical acclaim.

Other roles:

• Olivia Pullman portrayed by Izabela Vidovic
• Miranda Navas portrayed by Danielle Rose Russell
• Mr Tushman portrayed by Mandy Patinkin
• Mr Brown portrayed by Daveed Diggs