The Pullman family walks together in confronting a school bully. (l to r) Owen Wilson, Gidget, Jacob Tremblay, Izabela Vidovic and Julia Roberts.
WONDER
Film Review by Marlene Ardoin
Even though “Wonder” takes place during the Halloween season, I found it to be the perfect holiday season film.
Only the hardest heart will remain unmoved by this story. The silent tears spontaneously started about mid-way for me, not because of the degree of bullying meanness, but because of the humor, kindness and open-heartedness that evolves in its storytelling.
Jacob Tremblay plays August “Auggie” Pullman, Isabel (Julia Roberts) and Nate’s (Owen Wilson) son who was born with Treacher Collins syndrome.
After I was exposed to Auggie’s humor, intelligence, and humility, he starts to look like the normal kid, and the bullies start to look like grotesque, fractured souls.
Bullying is one of the unfortunate side products of a competitive system. The losers need to feel superior to someone, and that someone is usually the kid or individual who looks different.
However, standing out from the crowd is what makes one a winner in real life. Who wants to be like everybody else?
Mandy Patinkin as Mr. Tushman, could easily play one of the benevolent Harry Potter wizardry professors.
Mr. Tushman is the dean who confronts the parents of the main bully, Julian (Bryce Gheisar).
Patinkin models how school officials should respond to bullying in the school setting.
Unfortunately, bullying happens everywhere, at school, at work, at home and even in government.
Please see this movie. It could save your job, your family, your community or your children.
The film, “Wonder,” teaches the power of kindness.
Mandy Patinkin Bio:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandy_Patinkin
Bullying:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/bullying
Auggie sits with his friends at school.
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12/11/2017 # Wonder