What’s particularly special about the book is how it structures the story, opting to tell not just Auggie’s story, but the story of those around him in overlapping chunks. As such, the novel has sections for several characters specifically, and the screenplay – credited to director Stephen Chbosky, as well as Steve Conrad and Jack Thorne – pretty much follows that structure. Thus, we see the different perspectives on Auggie’s condition, from the bullying that he endures and how he feels about it first and foremost. The paradoxical mix of cruelty and joy Auggie finds at school is often unflinchingly put across. It’s matter of fact, never dwelling, but really makes its points. As such, it’s mainly the twin human stories – that of Auggie and Via – that the film particularly homes in on, and to superb effect. Chbosky, whose previous film was the quietly impressive The Perks Of Being A Wallflower – entrusts the heart of his movie to the terrific Jacob Tremblay (under heavy prosthetics) and Izabela Vidovic as Via is quite brilliant too. I bought their characters, as I did Roberts and Wilson. As Isabel and Nate, they’re parents in a tremendously difficult situation, achingly wanting the best for their children, without the story plunging into Hallmark Movie Of The Week territory. Crucially too, the film is aimed at a family audience, and genuinely feels that accessible. Even though the film streamlines parts of the book, though, it still leaves itself with a rush to the finish, to get in under the two hour running time that befits a live action family movie. As a consequence, the last third does get a bit breathless, and the finale – as good as it is – is cut pretty close to the bare bones. Arguably, the film doesn’t quite have quite as sharp an edge as the book, although there’s still a tremendous amount here that resonates. These are small criticisms, though, and comfortably dwarfed by the scale of the achievement around them. It’s some piece of work, and a film that’s rightly going to be special to an awful lot of people. Me included. Wonder indeed. Wonder is in UK cinemas from December 1st.