Gifted (2017), directed by Marc Webb (who also directed The Amazing Spiderman 1 and 2), is a drama that with themes of genius, family, and the challenges of childhood. The film is about the custody battle over a young math prodigy and features strong performances from Chris Evans and Mckenna Grace.

Plot

The plot of Gifted is about the dilemma of how best to raise Mary, a young girl with a gift for mathematics. Frank, her uncle, wants her to have a normal life, free from the pressures of academic rigor and the burdens that often come with genius. However, Evelyn, Frank’s mother, believes that Mary’s abilities should be nurtured to their fullest extent, even if it means sacrificing her childhood. Mary's mom also had a similar gift but committed suicide due to pressures so Frank doesn't want the same thing to happen to Mary.

Characters

Chris Evans (Captain America) plays Frank Adler, a single man raising his 7-year-old niece, Mary (Mckenna Grace), in a modest life in Florida. Evans’ portrayal of Frank is grounded and compassionate, in contrast to his more famous roles as Captain America. Frank is a man trying to honor his late sister’s wishes by giving Mary a “normal” childhood, despite her intellectual powers. Evans brings a warmth to the character, playing a reluctant parent who is doing his best in challenging circumstances. His struggle between wanting to protect Mary and allowing her to reach her full potential is one of the film’s emotional driving forces.

Mckenna Grace shines as Mary, the gifted child at the center of the story. Her performance is and endearing. Grace captures both Mary’s intellect and vulnerability, making her a relatable character even as she struggle with difficult math problems far beyond her years. Mary’s frustrations with being held back in a regular school shows, and her relations with the other characters—especially her Uncle Frank—are heartwarming.

Conclusion

Gifted’s strength lies in its characters, performances of Chris Evans and Mckenna Grace. Their portrayal of a loving family is heartwarming. Gifted raises important questions about what's the priority in raising a child: her happiness or her achievements. It's a call out to some parents who pressure their children to achieve in school.

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