Wonder.

"When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind"

I love a good blockbuster. I've a fierce soft spot for them. It's deadly to get battered around the head when you go to the cinema. But sometimes it's even better to go to see something small. Something nice and quiet. Something that will make you smile and maybe even choke you up a bit. That's what Wonder is. A lovely little film.

Auggie is a young boy disfigured by a genetic illness. He's 10 years old and numerous operations since his birth have got him to a place where he's healthy and well enough to finally go to school. Having been home-schooled by his mam all his life Auggie isn't good at interaction with kids his own age and it's time for him to learn about it. Kids can be cruel though. But given the opportunity they can also be great. At the same time the story is also about his sister Via and her first year at college and her struggles to be her own person out in the big wide world. 

I really liked this. It's a warm family move that will make you smile and make you cry in equal measure. It hits all the beats you'd expect a story like this to hit but does it all well with a (mostly) light touch. It's sentimental as hell but because it's filled with fine acting it will ensure you genuinely care about the characters onscreen. It's hard to watch in places as little Auggie inevitably runs into trouble and bullying but the PG certificate keeps things from getting too dark. It doesn't shy away from the hardships families in this situation can face also.

Poor Via. Always in the background.

It touches on sides of the story you rarely see. The hardship of being a sibling in a family with a sick child. The pain of being forgotten and overlooked. The struggle to not act out or seem selfish by looking for attention. It also shows the sacrifices parents make for their kids. The things they give up instantly to ensure their kids get all their attention. It's a good choice to show all of this. It gives the film depth and rounds it out. You empathise with the characters because we all know someone in this situation sadly. The people who's lives revolve around someone else.

Jacob Tremblay is excellent as Auggie. Even under a ton of makeup you know how he's feeling with one glimpse into his eyes. The downward look. The slumped shoulders. Your heart will break for him and then burst with joy when he straightens up and begins to smile and blossom. Julia Roberts as his Mam Isabel, is great as always. Her big trademark smile covering the fact that she's constantly on edge thinking about Auggie. She conveys strength and fragility and dignity well. She's in the mammy part of her career and I think she's going to do it well like everything else she does. Izabela Vidovic as Via is fine too. Like her Mam, Via is outward strength hiding inner pain and she does a lot with her expression. Her storyline isn't as big as Auggie's but it's just as affecting. Owen Wilson as dad Nate is Owen Wilson. He's fun, he's quirky, he gives the story a handful of laughs. He gets a super scene near the end though. A father and son heart to heart. It adds a nice bit of substance to his role. 

It's not without it's issues though. It's way too long at 2 hours. At numerous times you will think it's over but it just keeps going. And going. And going. And near the end a touch of drama is wedged in that just strikes a wrong note. It feels totally out of place and a bit silly. If this had been removed it would have knocked 5 minutes off the running time and made the ending a bit smoother.

Small complaints really though. It's a very good film. It's bursting with humanity. It's a story that shows it's far easier to be a nice person than a mean one. It's refreshingly free of cynicism. It's hopeful. It's about how good people can be. If you are a person who cries easily you may be in trouble during this but I guarantee you'll leave the cinema smiling.