Wonder

"Auggie" (Jacob Tremblay) has been home-schooled by his mother (Julia Roberts) and father (Owen Wilson) but now as he nears his teens, they feel it's time for him to go to school and start associating with his contemporaries. Everyone's trepidation stems from the young lad's facial disfigurement which even after multiple surgeries is still something of which he is always quite conscious as he wears his shiny astronaut helmet to avoid being stared at. Clearly, he can't go to school dressed as Neil Armstrong so with some considerable courage he embarks on this new adventure without it. Of course there are none so cruel as other kids and his appearance is soon drawing all sorts of disdainful remarks; he is largely shunned and friends are few. Then he notices that "Jack Will" (Noah Jupe) is struggling with a surprise quiz and so allows him to crib from him. Might that be the start of a friendship? The story arc here isn't particularly innovative or original, but there are two really quite powerful performances from Tremblay and Jupe as both of their characters find they have a lot of growing up to do. Sure, there are snide remarks and bullies a-plenty here, but I felt the thrust rather