Wonder (2017)

A young boy (Jacob Tremblay) born with a facial defect (Treacher Collins syndrome) has been home schooled by his mother (Julia Roberts). But she feels that it's time he faced the challenges of the real world and sends him to a public school for the first time. The challenge of "fitting in" which are hard at the best of times becomes even more difficult. Based on the best selling young adult novel by R.J. Palacio and directed by Stephen Chbosky (PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER). This is a beautiful little film on so many levels. Anyone who's ever been the odd man out in a school situation can relate but the film goes beyond the problems of its young protagonist but to those surrounding him: family, friends, schoolmates and each with their little cross to bear. The film manages to be incredibly moving without icky sentimentality. Anyone fearing that young Tremblay's superb performance in ROOM was a one shot deal can relax. He gives a marvelous performance here. Roberts brings an unexpected depth to the mother role and I don't think I've ever found Owen Wilson (who plays the father) more likable. With Mandy Patinkin, Sonia Braga, Izabela Vidovic, Daveed Diggs, Danielle Rose Russell and that marvelous young actor Noah Jupe (SUBURBICON) who equals Tremblay.