Wonder (2017)

Wonder constructs a coming-of-age narrative that trusts the emotional intelligence of the viewer without resorting to cheap sentimentality. The film addresses physical difference as a starting point for a broader exploration of human dignity, kindness, and moral courage. The screenplay opts for a choral structure that allows the story to be seen from multiple perspectives — not only Auggie's, but also his sister's, his parents', and his classmates' — which enriches the narrative and avoids the trap of one-dimensional melodrama. The Pullman family is presented as a core of strength: present parents, siblings who learn to balance their needs, genuine dialogue. The treatment of school bullying is realistic without being brutal: it shows childhood cruelty but also the capacity for change when children are invited to choose kindness. The direction avoids the spectacularization of suffering and opts for moments of everyday grace. For parents, it is a work that invites conversations about empathy, character, and the bonds that sustain a person in adversity. A solid choice for the whole family.