Wonder (film)

Wonder is a 2017 American family drama film directed by Stephen Chbosky and written by Jack Thorne, Steven Conrad, and Chbosky. It is based on the 2012 novel of the same name by R. J. Palacio and stars Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Jacob Tremblay, Noah Jupe, Izabela Vidovic, Mandy Patinkin, and Daveed Diggs.

Wonder
Theatrical release poster
Directed byStephen Chbosky
Produced by
Screenplay by
Based onWonder
by R. J. Palacio
Starring
Music byMarcelo Zarvos
CinematographyDon Burgess
Edited byMark Livolsi
Production
company
Distributed byLionsgate
Release date
Running time
113 minutes[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$20 million[3]
Box office$305.9 million[4]

The film, which follows a boy with Treacher Collins syndrome trying to fit in, was released in the United States on November 17, 2017, by Lionsgate. It received positive reviews from critics and audiences, with many praising Tremblay and Roberts' performances, Chbosky's direction, writing, musical score and faithfulness to Palacio's novel; the film grossed $305 million worldwide on a $20 million budget. At the 90th Academy Awards, the film was nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.

Plot

August "Auggie" Pullman is a 10-year-old boy living in a brownstone in Brooklyn with his mother Isabel, father Nate, older sister Via, and dog Daisy. He was born with a rare medical facial deformity, which he refers to as "mandibulofacial dysostosis," and has undergone 27 different surgeries in order to see, smell, speak and hear. Auggie has been home-schooled, but as he approaches fifth grade, his parents decide to enroll him in Beecher Prep, a private school. Before the school year begins, Auggie meets with Mr. Tushman, the principal, who arranges a tour for him with three other students: Jack, Julian, and Charlotte. When school starts, Auggie is ostracized, but soon forms a close friendship with Jack.

For Halloween, Auggie dresses in a Ghostface mask and cloak from last year when he doesn't have enough time to change to the Boba Fett costume he was planning to wear. He walks through school upbeat and confident due to the anonymity his costume affords him. However, as he enters his homeroom, he overhears Jack, who does not recognize him, joining Julian and his friends Amos, Miles, and Henry, in making fun of him behind his back by saying that "[he] would kill [himself] if [he] looked like Auggie." He becomes sick, forcing his mother to abandon her mother-daughter day with Via to bring him home. Though she is hurt, Via convinces Auggie to go trick-or-treating with her, as she has been rejected by her best friend Miranda.

Auggie forms a new friendship with a girl named Summer and confides in her about his split with Jack. When Jack asks Summer why Auggie is avoiding him, she only gives him the clue "Ghostface." Realization soon dawns on him, and he resolves to partner with Auggie instead of Julian and Amos for the school science fair to make it up to the former. When Julian confronts Jack in the hallway and calls Auggie a "freak," the two begin fighting, which is broken up by their homeroom teacher Mr. Browne and another teacher. After suspending Jack for two days, Mr. Tushman reads Jack's letter about defending Auggie. Jack then apologizes to Auggie via Minecraft, telling Auggie he said what he said only to gain favor with Julian's friend group, and they reconcile.

Meanwhile, Via signs up for her school’s drama club after meeting a boy named Justin, with whom she soon begins a romantic relationship. Via is selected as Miranda's understudy for the lead role in the school's production of Our Town, but on opening night, Miranda learns that Via's family is in attendance while her own is not, so she feigns illness in order to let Via take her place. Via gives a moving performance that earns her a standing ovation, and she and Miranda reconcile.

Auggie's popularity and circle of friends grow bigger over the course of the year, especially after he and Jack win the science fair, but he continues to be harassed by Julian and his friends until Mr. Browne notices. Mr. Tushman later confronts Julian and his parents with the evidence, including hate notes and a class picture with Auggie photoshopped out. Julian's mother admits that she was the one who deleted Auggie from the picture, defends Julian's actions, and asserts that the students should not be exposed to Auggie. Despite her threats to pull their funding from the school, Mr. Tushman suspends Julian for two days, forcing him to miss an upcoming nature retreat. As they leave, Julian becomes distraught when his mom declares he will not be back in the fall; he apologizes to Mr. Tushman.

At the nature retreat, Auggie and Jack are threatened by a trio of seventh graders from another school, but Amos, Miles, and Henry defend the two.

At the year-end graduation ceremony, Auggie thanks his mom for enrolling him in school. Isabel tells him "You really are a wonder, Auggie." Auggie is given the Henry Ward Beecher Medal for his strength and courage throughout the school year. The movie ends with everyone cheering Auggie as he delivers a voiceover narration telling the viewers (and quoting the last precept Mr. Browne gave in class) "Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle. And if you really want to see what people are, all you have to do is look."

Cast

Production

Development

On November 27, 2012, it was announced that Lionsgate was developing a feature film adaptation of R. J. Palacio's debut novel Wonder, and were in talks with John August to write the screenplay.[5] Mandeville Films' David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman produced the film.[5]

On May 8, 2013, Jack Thorne was hired to adapt the novel after August had departed from the project.[6] In October 2014, John Krokidas was reported to be directing the film,[7] though in April 2015, Paul King was hired to direct instead. Steven Conrad was writing the script at that time.[8]

Casting

On April 14, 2016, Jacob Tremblay was cast to play the lead role, Auggie Pullman, while Julia Roberts was in talks to play Auggie's mother.[9] On May 5, 2016, Roberts' casting was confirmed, and Stephen Chbosky was set as the film's director.[10]

On June 27, 2016, Owen Wilson joined to play Auggie's father.[11] On July 11, 2016, newcomer Noah Jupe joined the cast as Auggie's best friend at school,[12] and on July 15, 2016, Daveed Diggs was cast as Mr. Browne, an English teacher at the school.[13]

On August 19, 2016, Sônia Braga joined the cast, portraying the role of Roberts's character's mother.[14]

Visual effects

Tremblay's prosthetic makeup, designed and created by Arjen Tuiten, took an hour and a half to apply. It consisted of a skull cap with prosthetic ears attached, a facial prosthetic that covered Tremblay's face, and a wig to tie it all together.

Filming

Filming took place in several locations in British Columbia, Canada, and Coney Island, New York, from July 18 to September 13, 2016.

Music

Marcelo Zarvos composed the film's score.[15] Bea Miller composed a song for the film, "Brand New Eyes." It was released on August 3, 2017. Wonder author R. J. Palacio has often credited Natalie Merchant's song "Wonder", from her 1995 album Tigerlily, as the inspiration for her best-selling book and at Merchant's invitation, the song was featured on the soundtrack. The song is played during the film's end credits.[16]

Release

Lionsgate had initially scheduled Wonder to be released in the United States on April 7, 2017.[17][18] On February 13, 2017, it was announced that the release date had been pushed back to November 17, 2017.[19] Wonder had its world premiere at the Regency Village Theater in Los Angeles on November 14, 2017.[20]

Reception

Box office

Wonder grossed $132.4 million in the United States and Canada, and $173.2 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $305.6 million, against a production budget of $20 million.[4] Deadline Hollywood calculated the film made a net profit of $55.3 million, when factoring together all expenses and revenues.[21]

In the United States and Canada, Wonder opened alongside Justice League and The Star, and was initially projected to gross around $9 million from 3,096 theaters in its first weekend.[22] However, after grossing $740,000 from Thursday night previews and receiving a large number of group ticket sales, weekend projections were upped to $15 million.[23] Weekend projections were again increased, this time to $28 million, after the film made $9.4 million on its first day. The film went on to debut to $27.1 million, finishing second at the box office, behind Justice League.[24] In its second weekend, the film dropped just 17.7%, grossing $22.7 million and finishing third at the box office.[25]

Critical response

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 85% based on 190 reviews, and an average rating of 7.05/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Wonder doesn't shy away from its bestselling source material's sentiment, but this well-acted and overall winsome drama earns its tugs at the heartstrings."[26] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 66 out of 100, based on 33 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[27] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A+" on an A+ to F scale, one of fewer than 90 films in the history of the service to receive the grade.[24]

Some reviewers criticized the decision to cast an actor without the condition as Auggie as undermining the film's message.[28][29]

Accolades
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Result Ref.
AARP's Movies for Grownups Awards February 5, 2018 Best Intergenerational Film Wonder Nominated [30]
Readers' Choice Poll Wonder Nominated
Academy Awards March 4, 2018 Best Makeup and Hairstyling Arjen Tuiten Nominated [31]
British Academy Film Awards February 18, 2018 Best Makeup and Hair Naomi Bakstad, Robert Pandini and Arjen Tuiten Nominated [32]
Casting Society of America January 18, 2018 Big Budget – Comedy Deborah Aquila, Kara Eide, Tricia Wood and Kris Woz Nominated [33]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards January 11, 2018 Best Young Actor/Actress Jacob Tremblay Nominated [34]
Best Adapted Screenplay Jack Thorne, Steve Conrad and Stephen Chbosky Nominated
Best Hair & Makeup Wonder Nominated
Heartland Film Festival December 31, 2017 Truly Moving Picture Award Stephen Chbosky Won [35]
Hochi Film Award December 18, 2018 Best International Picture Stephen Chbosky Won [36]
London Film Critics Circle January 28, 2018 Young British/Irish Performer of the Year Noah Jupe Nominated [37]
Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild February 24, 2018 Feature Motion Picture: Best Contemporary Makeup Naomi Bakstad, Jean Black and Megan Harkness Nominated [38]
Feature Motion Picture: Best Contemporary Hair Styling Robert Pandini and Alisa Macmillan Nominated
Feature Motion Picture: Best Special Makeup Effects Michael Nickiforek and Arjen Tuiten Nominated
Feature Motion Picture: Best Contemporary Hair Styling Robert Pandini and Alisa Macmillan Nominated
Feature Motion Picture: Best Special Makeup Effects Michael Nickiforek and Arjen Tuiten Nominated
Saturn Awards June 27, 2018 Best Performance by a Younger Actor Jacob Tremblay Nominated [39]
Best Make-up Arjen Tuiten Nominated
Best Independent Film Wonder Won
Seattle Film Critics Society December 18, 2017 Best Youth Performance Jacob Tremblay Nominated [40]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association December 8, 2017 Best Youth Performance Jacob Tremblay Nominated [41]
Women Film Critics Circle December 17, 2017 Best Family Film Wonder Nominated [42]
[43]
Teen Choice Awards August 12, 2018 Choice Drama Wonder Nominated [44]
Choice Drama Actor Jacob Tremblay Nominated
Choice Drama Actress Julia Roberts Nominated

Musical adaptation

It was announced on April 9, 2019 that a musical adaptation of the film is in the works for Broadway. Jill Furman (Hamilton) will produce, R. J. Palacio will write the book for the stage production.

References
  1. "Film releases". Variety Insight. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
  2. "WONDER". Lionsgate Press. Retrieved 2017-07-26.
  3. "Will 'Justice League' Perform Like 'Wonder Woman' or 'Suicide Squad' at the Box Office?". TheWrap. November 14, 2017.
  4. "Wonder (2017)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  5. Sneider, Jeff (November 26, 2012). "Lionsgate lining up John August to adapt 'Wonder'". Variety. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  6. Fleming, Mike, Jr. (May 8, 2013). "Lionsgate Taps Jack Thorne To Adapt R.J. Palacio Novel 'Wonder'". Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  7. Ford, Rebecca; Kit, Borys (October 7, 2014). "'Kill Your Darlings' Director to Helm YA Adaptation 'Wonder' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  8. Kit, Borys (April 23, 2015). "'Paddington' Director Books Lionsgate's YA Adaptation 'Wonder' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  9. Geier, Thom (April 14, 2016). "'Room' Star Jacob Tremblay in Talks for Lionsgate's 'Wonder'". TheWrap. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  10. Kit, Borys; Ford, Rebecca (May 5, 2016). "Julia Roberts to Play Jacob Tremblay's Mother in 'Wonder'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  11. Kroll, Justin (June 27, 2016). "Owen Wilson to Co-Star With Julia Roberts in 'Wonder' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  12. Kit, Borys (July 11, 2016). "'Night Manager' Actor Joins Julia Roberts, Jacob Tremblay in 'Wonder' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  13. Lincoln, Ross A. (July 15, 2016). "Tony Winner Daveed Diggs Joins Lionsgate's 'Wonder' In First Post-'Hamilton' Film Role". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  14. Kit, Borys (August 19, 2016). "Sonia Braga Playing Julia Roberts' Mother in 'Wonder' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  15. "Marcelo Zarvos to Score Steven Chbsoky's 'Wonder'". FilmMusicReporter. January 11, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  16. "Wonder the Film". Natalie Merchant. 2017-06-12. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  17. "Julia Roberts, Jacob Tremblay's Wonder gets spring 2017 release date". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. June 8, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  18. "First Look! Julia Roberts and Jacob Tremblay Will Melt Your Heart in Wonder". People. August 10, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  19. "Julia Roberts' Drama 'Wonder' Pushed to November". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media, LLC. February 13, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  20. Saval, Malina (November 15, 2017). "'Wonder' Premiere Celebrates Book's Six-Year Journey to Big Screen, 'Once-in-a-Lifetime Actor' Jacob Tremblay". Variety. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  21. D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 29, 2018). "Small Movies, Big Profits: 2017 Most Valuable Blockbuster Tournament". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  22. Anita Busch (November 14, 2017). "The Tale Of Two Films: Walden Media's 'The Star' & 'Wonder' Bow On Same Day".
  23. D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 17, 2017). "'Justice League' Powers To $13M Thursday Night; Beats 'Wonder Woman' – Friday AM Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  24. D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 18, 2017). "'Justice League' Encounters Kryptonite At The B.O. With $93M+ Opening: Why The DC Movie Weakened". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  25. D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 26, 2017). "Thanksgiving B.O. At $268M, +3% Over 2016 Spurred By 'Coco' & Holdovers". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  26. "Wonder (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  27. "Wonder reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  28. Henley, Ariel. "What "Wonder" Gets Wrong About Disfigurement and Craniofacial Disorders". TeenVogue. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  29. Barack, Lauren. "Critics Question the Representation of Disability in 'Wonder'". School Library Journal. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  30. Lee, Ashley (January 17, 2018). "AARP's Movies for Grownups Awards: 'The Post' Leads Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  31. "Oscars: 'Shape of Water' Leads With 13 Noms". The Hollywood Reporter. January 23, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  32. Ritman, Alex (January 8, 2018). "BAFTA Awards: 'Shape of Water,' 'Three Billboards,' 'Darkest Hour' Lead Pack of Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  33. Ford, Rebecca (January 2, 2018). "Artios Awards: Casting Society Reveals Film Nominees (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  34. "Critics' Choice Awards: 'The Shape of Water' Leads With 14 Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  35. "Truly Moving Picture Award". Heartland film. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  36. "作品賞・海外部門「ワンダー 君は太陽」配給のキノフィルムズ・武部由実子社長「今後も精進して参りたいと思います」…報知映画賞表彰式". Sports Hochi (in Japanese). December 19, 2018. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  37. Tartaglione, Nancy (December 19, 2017). "'Three Billboards' Leads London Critics' Circle Film Award Nominations". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  38. Giardina, Carolyn (January 5, 2018). "Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards: 'Darkest Hour,' 'Wonder' Lead Feature Nominees". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  39. McNary, Dave (March 15, 2018). "'Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  40. "'Blade Runner 2049 Leads the 2017 Seattle Film Critics Society Nominations". Seattle Film Critics Society. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  41. "The 2017 WAFCA Awards". Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association. December 8, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  42. Neglia, Matt (December 12, 2017). "The 2017 Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC) Nominations". Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  43. Benardello, Karen (December 23, 2017). "The Women Film Critics Circle Awards 2017's Best Movies". Shockya.com. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
  44. Douglas, Esme. "Teen Choice Awards 2018: See the full list of winners". EW. Archived from the original on August 13, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.