Wonderful!

Johnson Thomas

Jacob Tremblay, the boy wonder from ‘Room’ stars in this incredibly empathetic story about a 10-year-old boy, Auggie,, with facial differences, having to navigate the unknown (to him)-an elementary school environment replete with bullying, name-calling, insults, violence and the like, and yet come out trumps.

Auggie may have had a home-schooled, protective environment till fourth grade but fifth grade is another matter. It’s a huge struggle for him to gain acceptance in a class of young ones conditioned to conform. Though this film starts off on Auggie’s point of view, it also gradually expands into point of views of those who touch his life. The word perfect script by Steve Conrad, Jack Thorne and Stephen Chbosky basically makes the viewer walk in each character’s shoes. And that’s when the empathy floodgates are opened, leaving you deeply affected as an audience. The understated byplay heralded by the juxtaposition of individual case studies, leaves you emotional and affected.

Auggie’s all-sacrificing elder sister Via (Izabela Vidovic) has the strongest impact after Auggie. Hers is a life revolving around the son. Like that of her parents (Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson), she lives life with dignity and affection. This film’s subject bears similarities with the award-winning Cher-starrer ‘Mask’, but the trajectory here is not towards tragedy. It’s an uphill struggle for Auggie, but he does it with all the equanimity and fortitude at his disposal. Chbosky gets terrific performances from the entire cast and his treatment is devoid of melodrama. The makeup is also spot on. This film has a lot to teach the young and old alike. Give it a chance. It’s sure to floor you!