Wonder: White Bird

I haven't the slightest idea why imdb is featuring the worst review of the bunch as a featured review. Couldn't be further from the truth.

This is not a story of the Holocaust, it's a story of hope, kindness and courage in the darkest of times. That's what it promises and that's what it delivers.

No there aren't any Nazi camps portrayed, but it is an accurate depiction of what it felt and what it meant to be a Jew in those times, alienated and fearful for your life.

I haven't seen the Wonder movie and can't compare but a 7.2 rating for this movie is absurdly low. This is one of the standout movies of 2024 for me so far, one of meaning and hope and I wouldn't mind watching it again or recommending to a friend.

So go watch it without being influenced by a discouraging review.

The expelled bully Julian from Wonder (2017) is trying to fit in hard in his new high school and is still struggling. He does feel guilty but doesn't understand why he was made to pay so much. While he is still unsure, his grandma Sara visits him from Paris and shares her life story as a little girl in the Nazi occupied France during the second World War. She shares her nightmare of being ostracized and how she is forced live a life in hiding with the help of Julian and his family. The boy turns out to be her first love as they bond over an year, helping her hide from Nazi army. Her story is the triumph of humanity, love over hate and Sara knows better that it is time to share this story with Julian, fondly named after her Julian. How he became the light of her life when her's was filled with darkness and hopes to instill the same light in Julian to help him out of his predicament.

The Wonder reference is limited to Julian as the story is entirely that of Sara in the 1940s. Needless to say, this was an out and out sob fest, unlike Wonder which had it's lighter moments. Having said that, White Bird is still a heart touching tale and a well directed one. The story got me captivated instantly though it travels through familiar tropes and the director gets on with the story immediately without wasting much time with Julian from current time. The world during the Nazi dominance was truly heartbreaking as the people turned against Jews, told through Sara and her parents' pov. The scenes where Sara and Julian test their imagination that knows no bounds, were well executed. Despite the predictability, it is still an all important film even for the current times and the stance it takes against hatred is worth a watch. Helen Mirren as Sara shines in her extended cameo while the performances by the leads just melted my heart.

In a world where violence and action always takes credit, sometimes we need to take a moment and enjoy the kind movies.

This movie truly touched me in so many ways, its character development is outstanding, and the director's way to send the message is phenomenal also. I would truly advise every parent to give this movie a shot and watch it with their children as there are some really deep and meaningful life lessons throughout the movie, a movie that teaches us (specifically the young generation) to love and be kind to others instead being mean and using others to bully our way to the top.

Truly recommended !

Back in 2017, a movie called WONDER (based on the 2012 book by R. J Palacio) came out, about a disfigured young boy going to public school for the first time. I actually just watched it. I really liked how they showed the story through a few characters' perspectives. Keeping with that trend, a sort-of sequel kind of spinoff has been released called WHITE BIRD (based on the 2019 graphic novel from the same author). Don't worry, you don't have to have seen WONDER to understand what's going on. This is about Julien (Bryse Gheisar), an ex-school bully who is getting a taste of his own medicine at a new preppy school. He gets a visit from his grandmother Sara (Hellen Miren), who tells him a story of her past. In 1942 France, a young Sara (Ariella Glaser) is forced into hiding from the Nazis, taken in by a classmate named Julien (Orlando Schwerdt), who has a lame leg due to polio. Him and his parents (played by Gillian Anderson and Jo Stone-Fewings) hide her in their barn. This is a good movie. The performances of the two leads are great and sparking with chemistry. I was pretty stressed throughout the experience due to the circumstances. It does have an "Anne Frank" vibe, but it's done well here. In dark times, sometimes all we need is kindness and hope. It's a little heavy-handed in some parts, but a very solid film. Remember, kindness can change somebody's life.

About a month ago, after watching the trailer, I did not feel I was in the mood for this movie. It seemed like another movie about cruelty and perseverance. Today, I noticed Helen Mirren and Gillian Anderson were in the cast so I chose it.

The cinematography, set design, costume and all those things we only notice if there is something wrong was just perfect. Orlando Schwerdt, Mirren, Anderson and the evil of Jim Mathews were all spectacular performances. Narrated by Mirren, this movie was a must see for anyone specially if they have kids entering any school.

The landscape of this beautiful French town questions my sanity of why I don't travel enough. Overall, this is a story about kindness and the lack of it. The pressure of trying to fit in and being afraid; not understanding what true strength really is. Since Mirren was also in the present, I felt safe watching the story unfold because she would survive. I wish it could have been presented a tiny bit differently so this safety would have been removed. Besides this, the movie delivered the message of choice and strength.

We all have little birds in our lives; we might not know we have them until you are in a position that offers it. Then, the little bird shows up and it gives you an existential placement.

I recommend you watch this film and check the room for light and wonder. It's so true, kindness is stronger than all the other options available. We are but memory of all the choices we make in life and the history we create. We develop our own paths in a direction and it can be modified at any moment. The most courageous people are all around us. The wolves will one day come for us all. Will you be ready ?