Movie Review: Gifted

Despite the A-list actors that make up "Gifted" (Chris Evans, Octavia Spencer) the true star of the film is the talented newcomer, 10 year old McKenna Grace and curiously a one-eyed cat named Fred (more on that later). McKenna Grace plays Mary, a 7 year old Math prodigy and we are not talking about College Algebra here, this seven year old does the kind of math which would put her in the same room with some of the most brilliant minds of our generation. 

After being home schooled by her no non-sense Uncle Frank (whom Mary calls "Frank" - just because) its time for Mary to transition into a regular school with regular children, much to Mary's dismay. As it turns out, while Mary's classmates are still counting 3+3=6, she can already multiply big numbers (and get the square root too!). Of course this is noticed by her teacher, Bonnie (played by Jenny Slate) and through her recommendation to the principal, Mary is offered a scholarship to a private school for gifted children. 

Frank not thrilled about the news and adamant that Mary stay in regular school to have a normal childhood, which is something that her mother, Diane would have wanted. 

As the story progresses, the audience learns that Diane was a young and promising mathematician herself, who dedicated her career to the Navier-Stokes problem, which she was unable to solve since she took her own life when Mary was only six months old and she has been with Frank ever since. 

Soon, Frank's estranged mother and Mary's maternal grandmother, Evelyn literally walks on to their doorstep to whisk Mary away to a more "suitable" environment that will enhance her potential. 

What follows is a bit of courtroom drama between Frank and Evelyn for the custody of Mary. Now, this kind of family drama is nothing new but what sets "Gifted" apart (as I said earlier) is the savy and talented McKenna Grace and "Fred" - the one eyed cat (who stole one scene) I swear I was about to cry hysterically too. Oh and seeing Chris Evans play a "Daddy" role can make ovaries explode. That sunset silhouette scene is just beautiful. 

Whenever McKenna Grace is on screen, you can't help but watch her, despite sharing a scene with accomplished actors about thrice her age, you will still be drawn to her firecracker persona. 

7/10 "Gifted" is now showing in cinemas!

Movies: Chris Evans’ “Gifted” Journey To The Big Screen

Chris Evans’ latest movie “Gifted” where he co-stars with Oscar winner Octavia Spencer, along with a multi-talented cast that includes Jenny Slate, McKenna Grace and Lindsay Duncan is a deeply charming story of a young child math prodigy and his uncle who are unexpectedly thrown into a custody battle that neither of them approves.

“Gifted” began its journey to the big screen when producer Karen Lunder, who has produced an assortment of films including “Arrival,” remembers a conversation with producer Andy Cohen in which she asked: “‘What do you have that’s great and different? What is the thing you’re most excited about?’ He sent me Gifted that was written by Tom Flynn.  When I read the script, it had this timeless quality to it.”

Tom Flynn has had a successful career in Hollywood.  “He’d done really well selling big comedy scripts to the studios,” GIFTED producer and Flynn’s literary manager Andy Cohen explains.  Flynn left Hollywood for Florida where he started selling real estate and semi-retired.  At the urging of his wife, he finally began to write the movie he really wanted to write.  His inspiration for Gifted was actually his sister, whom he describes as “the most unassuming ridiculously smart person you’ve ever met.  The script eventually landed on Hollywood’s Black List, a survey of film executives’ favorite screenplays yet to be produced.

Movies: Talented Newcomer Mckenna Grace Takes Titular Role In “Gifted”

An impressive ensemble of actors led by Chris Evans along with Oscar winner Octavia Spencer, Lindsay Duncan and Jenny Slate support young multi-talented actress McKenna Grace as she takes on the titular role in director Marc Webb’s “Gifted.”

Evans plays Frank Adler, uncle and guardian of Mary (Grace) in “Gifted” who both lead normal lives until Evelyn (Duncan), Frank’s mom and Mary’s grandmother, decides to take custody of her grandchild.  Frank’s sister entrusted him to raise Mary after she died for fear that her daughter might also be subjected to the pressures she’s been through as a prodigy.  But as soon as Evelyn finds out about Mary’s intellectual state, Frank finds himself in a custody battle to keep Mary under his care.

On finding the right child-actor, director Webb insists there was a good reason for the massive search: “I couldn’t have made “Gifted” unless I found the right Mary Adler. It was the biggest hurdle to making the movie. There’s an emotional depth and sophistication you don’t see very often in an actor, but for a child, that’s a level of virtuosity that is incredibly rare.”

Movies: Oscar Winner Octavia Spencer Part Of A Dream Cast In “Gifted”

When you’re an Oscar winner, no one expects you to show up on the set most every day – even when you’re not working – but that’s what Octavia Spencer did on “Gifted” where she co-stars with an impressive cast led by Chris Evans, Grace McKenna, Jenny Slate and Lindsay Duncan.

“Gifted” is directed by Marc Webb, known for his dreamy romantic hit “500 Days of Summer.”  In “Gifted,” Webb once again gives another heartfelt movie about a single man raising his spirited young niece Mary (Mckenna Grace) in a coastal town in Florida.  But Mary is a brilliant child prodigy and Frank's intention that she lead a normal life are thwarted when the seven-year-old’s command of mathematics comes to the attention of his formidable mother Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan)—a wealthy Bostonian whose plans for her granddaughter threaten to separate Mary and Frank.  As family tensions and disconnections flare, uncle and niece find support in Roberta (Octavia Spencer), their protective landlady and best friend, and Mary’s teacher Bonnie (Jenny Slate), a young woman whose concern for her student soon develops into a relationship with her uncle as well.

“I don’t think there’s a single member of the crew she didn’t reach out to and make laugh on a daily basis. producer Karen Lunder says of the actress who personified the character of Roberta. “She brought warmth and humor to this pivotal role. She’s also the one person who knows Frank almost better than himself. Most importantly, Roberta is the comic relief, which comes out of her relationship with Frank. She’s always giving him the business, but she’s also deeply emotional. You care so much about Roberta and worry whether she will be able to continue to have the relationship with Mary.”
             
Spencer recalls what attracted her to the role, “What intrigues me about Roberta is that her relationship with Frank and Mary is an integral part of the story. She’s a surrogate mom to the girl and to this habitually single guy, she’s a sister and a mom, whatever the relationship requires. If I were to describe the anatomy of GIFTED, Mary would be the heart, Frank would be the muscle and the sinew and Roberta would be the spine. It all works wonderfully together and that’s why it resonated with me on so many levels.”

Ultimately, Roberta discovers the power she does have in this untraditional family unit: “You realize that these people coexist in a way that is very much family. They need each other. Frank has a very tough decision to make, and when he makes that decision he asks Roberta for help. I really love that the end of the movie starts the same way as the beginning, with Frank and Roberta’s relationship.”

“Gifted” opens May 3 in cinemas nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

MOVIES: CHRIS EVANS’ “GIFTED” TRAILER

Chris Evans plays another kind of hero in the upcoming deeply touching family drama “Gifted” as a doting uncle to McKenna Grace.

“Gifted” trails the joyous journey of Frank Adler (Evans) and Mary Adler living peacefully on their own but is interrupted when Frank’s mother, Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan), discovers that Mary is a prodigy like her mother.  Fighting against his mother for the custody of Mary, Frank is determined to give the child a normal upbringing as opposed to the plans of Evelyn.

Supported with an impressive cast, “Gifted” also includes Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer and Critics’ Choice Best Actress (Comedy) Jenny Slate directed by Marc Webb who also helmed blockbuster favourites such as “500 Days of Summer,” “The Amazing Spider-Man” and “The Amazing Spider-Man 2.”

“Gifted” opens May 3 in cinemas nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.   Trailer link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raYLGfpGxes