Wonder
I recently watched the movie Wonder. It’s based on a beautiful novel about a homeschooled child with facial differences who enters school for the first time in fifth grade.
Jacob Tremblay brings the character Auggie Pullman to life in the movie Wonder. In the movie he is almost unrecognizable thanks to the special effects makeup. Jacob was cast as Auggie Pullman mostly because of his big heart. He was more excited to be able to meet and help children suffering from the Treacher Collins syndrome then he actually was to act in the movie. Some of the other actors in this movie were pretty big stars such as Julia Roberts who played Auggie’s mom and Owen Wilson who played Auggie’s dad.
Auggie Pullman
August Pullman has the Treacher Collins syndrome, a rare genetic condition affecting the way the face develops. Due to this he had been homeschooled all his life until now, he finally decides to start school in 5th grade at Beecher Prep.
The idea of going to school terrifies him, even when he just walks down the street with his family heads turn and stares hold. At least adults know how to fake a smile and hide their true expressions. Auggie just wants to be treated like an ordinary 10 year old boy.
The movie begins in Auggie’s point of view and shows his take on the world. But then switches to the perspectives of his classmates, his sister, his sisters boyfriend, and others as well. Auggie wasn’t the only person who had problems or insecurities in his family. This was another major conflict in the movie.
Via Pullman
Via Pullman had always been second priority ever since Auggie was born. Her parents had so much on their hands with Auggie that they usually overlooked Via. When school started, Via’s life went in a downward spiral. Her best friend no longer wanted to be friends with her and she had no one else to turn to. Since this was also Auggie’s first year in school she didn’t want her parents to have any more stress and kept all of her feelings inside.
This is what I liked best about both the wonder book and the movie. The switched perspectives show that no-one has a perfect life and it made the movie more relatable. “You can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.”
