Everyone has times in their lives when they feel excluded or like they do not belong. However, for August “Auggie” Pullman (Jacob Tremblay) in “Wonder,” who was homeschooled until he decided to attend fifth grade in public school, feeling abandoned was the norm for him. Auggie was born with mandibulofacial dysostosis, which is an inherited condition of facial bones and tissues that are not developed correctly, and he had 27 different surgeries trying to correct his facial differences. Though this movie is clearly about how he overcomes his obstacles in life, it is also focuses on how his new friends deal with pressure from peers at school and how his family deals with him growing up.

With the opening statement of “I know I’m not an ordinary kind of a kid, I’ve had 27 surgeries. They help me to breathe, to see, to hear without a hearing aid, but none of them have me look ordinary,” I was hooked until the rolling credits came around. Not only was this movie moving, it was filled with emotion from beginning to end. It was like my brain did not know what emotion I should be feeling the whole time because it just kept you on your toes and left you thinking, “What will happen next?”

This movie is an absolute need to watch for all ages. It captures the hardships of children, teens, and adults as they deal with their own issues, all bundled up within Auggie trying to fit in at school. His sister, Via (Izabela Vidovic), is Auggie’s number one supporter, but also is trying to get her parents to notice her. She also goes through times of betrayal from her best friend since kindergarten, and ends up finding herself through new relationships that force her to step out of her comfort zone. Auggie’s parents, portrayed by Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson, show the rough times of parenting by supporting their children to the best of their abilities, but also allowing them to try to take care of situations themselves to gain independence.

All in all, I have not seen a movie that was so heartwarming and inspirational in a long time. The love between family members is so uplifting and moving. I would totally go see it again and again, just to feel that love that the characters share with one another.