Coming-of-age stories often highlight important experiences that shape a person's growth. This holds true for Julian Albans (Bryce Gheisar), who is the focus of the Wonder series, which includes books, graphic novels, a 2017 film, and this new sequel. The movie follows Julian as he returns to school at a private academy after being expelled from his previous one. He’s having trouble finding his place, particularly when he encounters others exhibiting similar behaviors that led to his dismissal. Now, he has the chance to change course and start over, largely because of a visit from his grandmother, Sara Blum (Helen Mirren), a renowned artist who travels from Paris to New York for a museum exhibition of her work. Recognizing Julian’s struggles, she shares a story about her own adolescence in an attempt to guide him. She recounts the challenges she faced while living under Nazi occupation during World War II, detailing how she tried to avoid capture and received unexpected assistance from a kind classmate (Orlando Schwerdt), who had polio and used crutches. This boy, Julien, understood the ridicule Sara (Ariella Glaser) was experiencing because of his own disability, and he intervened to protect her with the support of his parents (Gillian Anderson, Jo Stone-Fewings). Through extended flashbacks, Sara imparts this story, emphasizing the power of kindness for those in need—a message she believes Julian needs to hear if he hopes to move forward. Director Marc Forster has created a worthwhile film intended for younger audiences, especially at a time when these values are being challenged. The movie clearly promotes tolerance, compassion and kindness (though sometimes it feels a bit too obvious, leaning toward cliché and overly sentimental), as those messages can be difficult to convey in today’s self-centered world. It does suffer from pacing issues; the middle section drags, the dialogue could have been more concise, and there are occasional shifts in tone that feel jarring. Despite these flaws, there are many touching moments, making it a suitable choice for family viewing or younger viewers who might find a harsher depiction of its themes too intense. Regardless, “White Bird” offers valuable lessons despite its imperfections, which could contribute to fostering the values needed for a better future.

Source on TMDB