"Gifted" is a dramatically solid and emotionally true movie, not your usual been-there-seen-that manipulative tear-jerker. Frank Adler (Chris Evans) is the guardian of seven-year old Mary (McKenna Grace), his dead sister's daughter. Mary is a math prodigy, following in her mother's footsteps. Frank decides that Mary, whose pastimes are focused on algebra and calculus, needs to become more rounded socially, so he enrolls her in a public school. Her introduction to the American educational system is rocky, but a helpful teacher (Jenny Slate), impressed by her math prowess, takes an interest in her. Unfortunately, Frank's mother, Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan) also decides to take an interest in her granddaughter, wanting Mary's gifts to be nurtured, not marginalized. This sets up a custody hearing in which two competing philosophies about parenting are pitted against each other. The screenplay is smart enough to present a balanced view in the courtroom, illustrating the positives and negatives of both although the audience has already picked a side.
Because the narrative takes on this subject matter, "Gifted" becomes compelling viewing. We are asked to consider the responsibility of parents and society when it comes to the nurturing and upbringing of a gifted child. Are we to allow them to 'just be a kid' or is it incumbent upon us to hone their areas of strength at the cost of other aspects of their lives and personalities? There's no easy answer and "Gifted" doesn't pretend there is - it simply puts a human face on the issue. The second strength of this movie is its emotional core, which, for the most part, doesn't fall into the trap of manipulation and histrionics. Director Marc Webb favors solid drama over melodrama (except in the final 20 minutes when he gets a little too sappy). Chris Evans is solid as Frank, giving a credible performance that we believe he is an Everyman and not his alter ego, Captain America. "Gifted" is worth seeing and emotionally rewarding.
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