Susan Granger’s review of “Gifted” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
If you’re searching for a fascinating, feel-good, family film with a provocative premise, choose “Gifted.”
Seven year-old Mary Adler (Mckenna Grace), a child prodigy, lives happily in a coastal Florida trailer park with Uncle Frank (Chris Evans) and her one-eyed cat named Fred. But now it’s time for her to go to a real school and, hopefully, make some friends her own age.
Frank, a free-lance boat repairman, has home-schooled Mary. When he’s working or going out for an evening, Mary is cared for by Roberta (Octavia Spencer) a loving neighbor.
From the very first day, Mary’s astounding ability with numbers mystifies her first-grade teacher, Bonnie (Jenny Slade), so the Principal (Elizabeth Marvel) recommends that Frank transfer Mary to an elite private school for gifted children – on full scholarship.
Problem is: Frank turns down the opportunity, saying he wants his young niece to lead have a normal, carefree childhood, unlike her mother/his sister, a brilliant mathematician, who committed suicide.
As the backstory unfolds, Mary’s wealthy grandmother, formidable Evelyn (Scottish actress Lindsay Duncan), from whom Frank has long been estranged, suddenly shows up, determined to take Mary to Boston, where her superior intellectual abilities can be properly challenged and cultivated at MIT. So a custody battle ensures.
Tom Flynn’s refreshingly original, often humorous screenplay is sensitively directed by Marc Webb (“500 Days of Summer”), blending amusement with melodrama, adroitly avoiding sentimentality.
Some scenes are exquisite, like when Mary and Frank existentially discuss religion on the beach while the sun sets; it’s shown in silhouette as Mary climbs all over Frank, like he’s a jungle gym. Kudos to cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh, editor Bill Pankow and composer Rob Simonsen..
Endearing Mackenna Grace shows astonishing talent; she’s also Keifer Sutherland’s daughter on TV’s “Designated Survivor.” Chris Evans wisely jettisons Marvel’s Captain America paraphernalia to display compassionate conflict, while Octavia Spencer oozes warmth.
On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Gifted” is a perceptively subtle, satisfying 7, packing an emotional punch.
