“Wonder” is a moving film about a facially different boy who shines with inner beauty. It stars Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, and Jacob Tremblay as Auggie. This honest, feel-good movie will be shown on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at 2:00 p.m., in the Program Room of Odell Public Library, 307 S. Madison Street, Morrison, IL. Since many children have read the best selling book of the same title, we invite parents and grandparents to bring the kids to this wonderful film.
His mom, played by Julia Roberts, has home schooled Auggie Pullman. However, she and her husband, played by Owen Wilson, have decided that Auggie should go to middle school. Although junior high years can be filled with drama, this is not the typical middle school drama. “I know I’m not an ordinary ten year-old kid,” Auggie says, as he is standing on his bed wearing an astronaut’s helmet. When he removes the helmet, we know what he means.
His young face is scarred, his earlobes are little flaps, and his eyes (seemingly tear-shaped) give him a perpetual sad-puppy dog expression. Auggie has endured 27 operations to mend his facial birth defects. However, Auggie is, in many ways, an ordinary kid who loves Star Wars, Minecraft, science, and ice cream. His parents and his older sister, played by Izabela Vidovic, love him. They all want the best for this special kid, and they want him to be a part of the community.
So, Auggie goes off to Beecher Prep Middle School, where all does not go smoothly.
“Wonder” is a movie that has something to say about the current climate of American bullying. Auggie is bullied and made fun of because of his looks. How Auggie and his family handle his transition from being home schooled to public school, and all the problems that come along, are the heart of the film.
In a year, Auggie experiences the best and the worst of human nature, but that one year is one of tremendous emotional growth for him. This is a story in which we all see something of ourselves. “Wonder” is truly a wonder!