By Emilio Frenk.
Director: Marc Webb
Cast: Chris Evans, Jenny Slate, Mckenna Grace, Lindsay Duncan, Glenn Plummer, John Finn and Octavia Spencer.
Rating: Very Good.
Marc Webb, director of the 2009 hit “(500) Days of Summer” brings “Gifted”, a drama with a lot of heart that you will be moved by it.
The movie tells the story of Frank Adler (Chris Evans) a boat repairman who takes care of her niece Mary (Mckenna Grace) after the passing of the girl´s mother Diane. She enjoys the company of his uncle and of her neighbor and best friend Roberta (Octavia Spencer).
One day at school Mary meets her teacher Bonnie Stevenson (Jenny Slate) and she begins to ask her a series of math problems which Mary answers correctly and Bonnie is impressed with her student.
She then talks to Frank and tells him that her niece is gifted, which Frank ignores. Eventually he will be offered by the principal of the school a full scholarship for Mary to go to a Private School for Gifted Children which Frank turns down.
After that meeting both Frank and Mary will receive and unexpected visit by Frank´s mother Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan) who see´s something special in her granddaughter and will fight for the custody for Mary.
Now Frank will do anything to have her niece at any costs before she loses her.
With “Gifted” Marc Webb directed that not only has heart but also a lot of humor in it. This movie has some of the style of “(500) Days of Summer” due to the visuals of the film and pacing as well. Although the plot is different from the previous film but it does work as well.
Tom Flynn`s screenplay was very well written and he created true, deep and powerful characters in this film. Once the movie starts you immediately have a total connection with this characters and you see the internal and external conflicts that have and at the same time you feel for them.
Marc Webb´s direction towards his actors was very good and sharp specially for Chris Evans which I can say that this is so far the best performance of his career and I was very surprised with it. I´m glad that he left his image of Steve Rogers/Captain America from the Marvel universe and played a character that is willing to protect her niece.
Mckenna Grace´s performance as “Mary” was stunning and she played the role with so much tenderness and realism. I hope we can see more from this young actress and I must say that her future is very bright if she continues through this path.
With that being said if you liked “(500) Days of Summer” you will definitely enjoy “Gifted” since I guarantee that you will be moved and touched with it.