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Even though it may sound like something out of the ordinary for a cynical movie critic to say, the most surprising thing about “Gifted” is that it is any good at all. That is, if you judge the film solely on the basis of its premise. The film is based on an original screenplay by Tom Flynn (whose filmography does not inspire a lot of confidence based on a cursory glance), and it is about a very cute young girl who is forced to enroll in first grade, despite the fact that she is an utter math whiz who prefers to be home-schooled by her uncle Frank. The prodigy’s grandmother believes that the prodigy would be better off somewhere other than Frank’s run-down Florida shack, which leads to a series of complications.
The setup reminds me of “Rainman Annie” or something along those lines. However, even the most high-concept movie is only as good as its execution, and the execution in this case is far superior to what the premise would lead one to expect. And, as it is executed, the premise takes on a slightly different tone, evoking more of a “Kramer vs. Kramer” meets “Little Man Tate” vibe than the original. The proceedings were in the middle of it when I thought to myself, “This is a child-custody… what’s the word… melodrama!!!” And I don’t mean to imply that melodrama is a bad thing. As far as I’m concerned, the world could use a few more of them right about now.
It’s mostly because of the cast, but it’s also because of the way the story unpeels that “Gifted” works for you like it did for me. Chris Evans is at his most Evans-y when he plays Frank, a man who lives a mystifyingly quasi-carefree life repairing boats and caring for the extremely adorable Mary, who is the film’s central character (Mckenna Grace). It is quickly revealed that he is referring to a bowl of Special K when he tells the little girl that he has prepared her a “special” breakfast on the first day of school. His explanations to her about why she should discontinue homeschooling and enroll in grade one are amusing, and the two of them have a good time with each other. “You’re going to meet kids today who you’ll be able to borrow money from for the rest of your life,” he says to her, laughing. As soon as Mary gets on the bus, Frank’s neighbor Roberta (Octavia Spencer, in a role she must have grown accustomed to by now, but in which she does not phone in, which is commendable for her and the film) comes by to tell him that by insisting on sending her to public school, he has all but sealed Mary’s doom. What could be the reason for this?
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The answer comes quickly enough, as Mary continues to astound her kind but befuddled teacher Bonnie with her math-problem-solving stills and animations. This, along with Mary’s gift, boredom in class, and passion for justice (she clobbers a bully on her first day of school, among other things) bring her to the attention of the school principal (Elizabeth Marvel). Mary’s principal insists that a public school is not the appropriate setting for her, but Frank believes otherwise. Although it is difficult to agree with the principal, she is correct. On the other hand, there’s something about Frank that strongly suggests that, as correct as the principal may be, he’s more often than not wrong as well.
Even when Mary’s grandmother comes swooping down from Boston, the film does not go out of its way to completely vindicate Frank’s actions. Initially a mysterious figure, Lindsay Duncan portrays her with poise and reserve as a woman of wealth from whom Frank has distanced himself in so many ways that it’s difficult to accept that they are even related, at least at first. When examined under the harsh “plausibles” microscope, Flynn’s back-story scenario is almost certain to appear ridiculous. However, Mark Webb’s smooth and assured direction, combined with the performances of Evans and Duncan, makes the unpacking of the relationship both narratively intriguing and emotionally credible, at least for the time that you’re watching them. That is, after all, what is important.
Gifted Quiz
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What follows is a custody battle in which the adult participants maintain a high level of civility toward one another throughout. Despite the fact that Mary herself is freaking out about the prospect of being separated from Frank. Throughout the film, their relationship remains interesting and amusing, as their conversations take advantage of but do not oversell Mary’s precociousness. During one of their conversations, she inquires as to whether or not there is a God. “I’m not sure,” he admits, trying to be sincere and truthful in his response. “Just tell me,” she says, a smirk on her face. Such amusing tidbits are served up on a regular basis by the film.
Another character who plays a role in the ultimately heart-wrenching proceedings is Fred, a one-eyed cat. And, among other things, a potentially awkward romantic relationship between Frank and Bonnie. Evans and Bonnie’s portrayer, Jenny Slate, met on the set of this film and went on to date in real life for a period of time after it was completed. They have genuine on-screen chemistry, and despite the online hilarity generated by the juxtaposition of a superhero actor and an ostensibly down-and-dirty comedienne romancing in real life, they don’t come across as any kind of odd couple, but rather as a solid and likable one.
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A few times, the film overplays its hand, such as when Frank brings Roberta and Mary to the hospital’s maternity unit for a reason that, well, doesn’t quite make sense. But, on the whole, “Gifted” is a warm-hearted entertainment that handles its plot twists and turns, as well as everything else, with a compassion that serves as a kind of tonic in these increasingly tense times.
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