‘Gifted’ hasn’t been getting a lot of press, which is a shame, because this is a mature, family friendly, and intelligent picture, which is rare to come by these days. I can understand the critics ‘ho-hum’ attitude as it’s not a story that breaks new ground. Frank (Chris Evans) is trying to raise his late sister’s math prodigy daughter the way he thinks she would have wanted; a normal life, not one of being pushed into the spotlight of greatness. The story of child prodigies just trying to have a normal life has been explored countless times before, even in notable films like ‘Little Man Tate’, but that doesn’t make ‘Gifted’ any less of an engaging and worthwhile film. Chris Evans and Octavia Spencer put aside their A-List egos and give us an emotional tale of conflict about people who all just want what is best for a little girl named Mary (just precocious enough, McKenna Grace), Frank’s 7 year old niece.
Don’t get me wrong, their are plenty of cliches and gratuitous tear jerking moment, but what sets gifted aside is that it doesn’t focus on Mary’s gift of being a math prodigy, if focuses more on a family dynamic where no one is truly a villain. Frank has found a blue collar niche in coastal Florida as a boat mechanic raising his niece with the help of his neighbor Roberta (Octavia Spencer, is she in everything?). Frank is trying to find a way to integrate the reluctant Mary into a normal school in order for her to fit into life. Unfortunately, it is soon discovered by Mary’s teacher Bonnie (Jenny Slate and Chris Evan’s real life love interest at the time) that Mary is not only gifted, but incredibly gifted. With everyone in the school administration becoming involved and feeling that Mary is wasting her talents in a normal school, they contact Frank’s controlling mother Evelyn (Lyndsey Duncan) who intervenes and starts court proceedings to gain control over Mary’s life and separate her from Frank.
Mary’s teacher Bonnie is torn over wanting to make sure that Mary achieves her potential and her growing attraction to Frank who she knows is only trying to do what is best for his niece. I thought the director did a great job showing Franks doubts about his own decisions, yet is surety about what his sister would have wanted. Life is not always idyllic between Frank and Mary, but they have each other which both of them value more than anything. Frank’s mother could have been easily written to be the over-the-top evil grandmother, but we understand Evelyn’s pain at losing her daughter and viewing Mary as a second chance to make it right. Even more touching is the way Frank’s neighbor Roberta has come to view Mary as a part of her life and panics at the thought of losing her. Again, just a story of well written and developed characters. All of whom we develop an understanding and connection.
I usually don’t like tear-in-the-eye feel good movies as I find them forced and gratuitous in their story telling. This is a welcome exception. A family drama that everyone can enjoy that neither talks down to nor manipulates the audience. It’s nice to see Chris Evans in something other than a blockbuster. This was also a welcome departure for Jenny Slate from her usual ‘quirky best friend’ roles she seems to get so often. Take the family and enjoy a feel good easter time movie.
I give this film **** stars
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