What to watch this week
WONDER
Drama. Auggie (Room’s Jacob Tremblay), a boy born with a facial deformity, joins kids his own age at school for the first time. His mom (Julia Roberts), dad (Owen Wilson) and older sister (Izabella Vidovic) worry he’ll be bullied.
After a difficult start Jack (Noah Jupe) befriends lovable Auggie, who blossoms – until he overhears a conversation that breaks his heart.
Based RJ Palacio’s novel of the same name, this touching movie explores issues such as friendship, inner beauty and self-worth.
The brilliant Tremblay is convincing and Roberts, Wilson and Vidovic do solid work too – but rising star Jupe is the one to watch. – CHEZ POOL 2017. 109 MIN. 7-9PG V. ALSO OUT ON DVD.
FATHER FIGURES
Comedy. After being lied to their whole lives about their father’s identity and death, twin brothers Peter (Ed Helms), depressed and divorced, and Kyle (Owen Wilson), a high flyer, decide to find their real dad and set off on a trip across America.
Along the way the brothers – who are each other’s polar opposites but hope to grow closer – meet a host of unsuspecting characters (played by Ving Rhames, JK Simmons and Christopher Walken) who reveal secrets about their mom (Glenn Close) and her life in the ’70s.
With lame jokes that kill the promising set-up, this drawnout comedy sadly wastes a great cast. – MAXINE PETERS 2017. 113 MIN. 16L. ALSO OUT ON DVD.