Director: Stephen Chbosky
Release Date: 2017
Running Time: 1hr 53 minutes
Genre: Family
Rating: PG
Seen On: Netflix
Synopsis:
Based on the New York Times best-seller, this movie tell the incredibly inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman. A boy with facial differences who enters the fifth grade, attending a mainstream elementary school for the first time.
Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by R.J Palacio, about a young boy with Treachers Collins Syndrome. August Pullman (Tremblay) dreams of becoming a world famous astronaut, however he's about to fight his biggest challenge to date, middle-school. August has an outstanding personality with an infinite love for Star Wars. The outline of the storyline is shown through the perspective of four different people. August, Via, Miranda and Jack. Home-schooled until now, August must learn to adapt to school life. Beautifully written, this isn't just a story about a young boy starting school, the storyline also goes into great detail about true friendship, love, family and the consequences that must follow on from bullying.
Real beauty comes from within. The hunk/stunning woman you see walking down the street, could also be the nastiest man or woman alive. Looks don't mean anything, especially when someone looks a bit different because they were born deformed. They are beautiful, but maybe not as you first see fit. Those that are different, often have the biggest hearts. They understand the importance of not judging a book by it's cover, accepting everyone for who they are on the inside. You're always going to get some who do judge. In a school/work setting, they are bullies. Imagine how difficult it must be in a school setting for a child who's different to fit in? The beauty of the storyline is that not only does it show what happens when someone is bullied, but the serious consequences the bullies must face afterwards too.
The performances from the actors is what really stands out in this film. Jacob Tremblay delivers a magnificent performance as August "Auggie" Pullman. Funny, endearing, brave and touching, you can't help but want the best for August. You want him to become a world famous astronaut, to find love, to find friendship. Owen Wilson stars as August's father Nate, Wilson is more well known for his comedic performances, but let me tell you he's magnificent when it comes to more serious roles too. Julia Roberts is brilliant as August's mother Isabel, full of emotion, you can clearly see that Isabel just wants what's best for her son. Robert's shows so much emotion through her eyes, that you can't help but be touched by her performance.
The idea to show the storyline through the performances of four people was certainly different, but I'd imagine more true to the way the book was written? It is here that we learn that just because someone looks happy on the outside doesn't mean that they are not fighting a silent battle behind closed doors. Peer pressure, wanting to fit in, falling in love, watching parents go through divorce, the storyline really covers it all. You are shown the same scenes, from the perspective of someone different each time. Very cleverly done, you get a real understanding for these four characters.
The setting and the environment that we see these characters in feels very real and genuine. The cinematography doesn't need to be spectacular for you to feel touched by this truly inspiring story. You'll feel every emotion, you'll laugh, cry and most definitely come away feeling truly inspired and uplifted by the end of this film. If you don't, do you even have a heart? An absolute masterpiece! Most definitely one of the best films of 2017.
5/5
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