Gifted is a sweet movie with incredible acting by all involved and opens April 7th:
Frank Adler (Chris Evans) is a single man raising his spirited young niece Mary (Mckenna Grace) in a coastal town in Florida. But Mary is a brilliant child prodigy and Frank’s intention that she lead a normal life are thwarted when the seven-year-old’s command of mathematics comes to the attention of his formidable mother Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan)—a wealthy Bostonian whose plans for her granddaughter threaten to separate Mary and Frank. As family tensions and disconnections flare, uncle and niece find support in Roberta (Octavia Spencer), their protective landlady and best friend, and Mary’s teacher Bonnie (Jenny Slate), a young woman whose concern for her student soon develops into a relationship with her uncle as well.
Mckenna Grace is outstanding in her role as the gifted young math prodigy. She portrays a sweet little girl as well as she plays a seven year old math genius. Her classroom scenes, with regular elementary school aged children, was also a great tool to show us how she also adopted her Uncle’s spirited nature (with some sarcasm and attitude).
And Mckenna lures us in with some decent acting, just a snarky seven year old performing a role. Then we get to see her emotional range, and having seen this movie twice, I can only hope she gets a supporting actress nomination. Her emotional scenes were almost better than those I have seen adults do. She plays an math prodigy in the movie, but she is clearly a seven year old acting prodigy as well. She is an up and coming wunderkind in the acting world!
Chris Evans does a wonderful job as the unemotional Uncle raising his niece in rural Florida. He works hard trying to raise his niece as well as he can as a single parent struggling to make ends meet. He does not talk lovingly to his niece, he is not affectionate with kisses and hugs, but what he does do is talk honestly to her. Honestly about emotions, things said in the heat of anger, and life lessons. In the end it does get emotional, but throughout the movie their relationship is clearly full of love and very strong without the “usual” emotional signs we are used to. When I spoke to Chris about the fact that Frank never says I love you, we agreed that the message was clearly there through his actions as the Uncle and caregiver, and that spoke more loudly than words would have!
Jenny Slate is wonderful as Mckenna’s teacher, quickly recognizing that this child needs far more intellectual stimulation than her current school can provide. Octavia Spencer is the family friend who lives next door and is practically Mary’s (Mckenna’s) surrogate mom. She is fiercely protective of her young neighbor and provides an outstanding performance. Octavia knows exactly what is at risk when little Mary goes off to public school, and we are all saddened by her prediction coming true. Her character strongly illustrates how it takes a village to raise a kid!
Lastly, Lindsay Duncan plays Frank’s mom. This is not a warm relationship, and we see the struggle that erupts when family members each have their own agenda for a child. Lindsay has a long monologue in the court room that is truly stupendous. It was wonderful to be able to see this movie twice in one month!
I got to meet the Director, Marc Webb, at a recent conference I attended. He shared that the entire movie was filmed in 30 days. They filmed on a Georgia Island and it felt like going to camp with Captain America and Jenny Slate! He enjoyed being out of NY and LA, sharing that it was great to shoot in a different type of area, one that has not been explored cinematically yet.
He also shared that Chris is a better improviser than he thinks he is! I don’t know which parts are improvised, but the end result is terrific! He also shared that Mckenna is herself a child acting prodigy, she doesn’t just play one in the movie! So go see Gifted this weekend, it opens Friday, April 7th! It is a terrific movie with wonderful acting, a joy to watch! As I told all my new friends below!
For more information on this delightful movie, please visit Gifted! They are also on Facebook and Twitter.
I’m so excited to see Gifted. Just the interactions I’ve seen on the trailer tell me this is going to be a good one.
I absolutely cannot wait to see this! Of course, I’m used to seeing Chris Evans in stars and striped tights, but he looks like he’s going to be just as big a super hero in this one, too. Just a different kind.
What an amazing opportunity! I’m really stoked about Gifted. The entire cast is freaking amazing, and also – CHRIS EVANS! <3
Sounds like a really wonderful movie!! I will definitely have to go and see it!
I have been really looking forward to seeing Gifted. It sounds like such a touching movie!
I am actually planning to see this movie. It sounds really emotional, which I like.
I’m interested to see how Chris Evans plays this character. Following the story of him and the gifted child prodigy sounds interesting.
I would like to see this movie. I want to see Chris Evans do something besides a superhero role. I would like to think that he is a good actor.
I loved this movie! I also cried my eyes out. Mckenna Grace was amazing in her role
The preview of this movie moved me to tears. I totally want to see it
I just know I am going to love this movie! The story sounds amazing and you can not top that cast.
How have I never heard of this movie until now? The trailer looks amazing – I have got to watch it.
Sounds like a great movie, you know me I will catch it when it hits cable or Netflix! 🙂
This sounds like a great movie to watch out for! Would love to see it with my kids!
I’ve been interested in this film ever since I saw the trailer and I think it’s really worth watching. Iv’e never seen Chris Evans in such a role.
They say ever take a role with kids or animals and it looks like McKenna could steal the show in this movie. I will look for it and my daughter will love it. You look like you had a great time at the meet and greet.
This looks like SUCH a good movie. I love the focus and storyline.
Another good movie that has Mitch reccomendation
I really want to see this movie. It is something I would enjoy taking the kids to. And you are standing next to Octavia Spencer!! Wowza!
My husband and I wanted to see this one as soon as we saw the first trailer. I’m glad to know that the finished product is as good as the trailers made it out to be.
I am so looking forward to see this movie. I love films that revolve around the story of families and relationships. McKenna Grace is awesome!
I have a lot of movies in my “must-watch” list but this one, Gifted, is on the top of my list. I just love films that touch the heart. I am making sure to take a box of tissues with me when I see this.
Sounds like a movie expressing the meaning of a Gifted person and student. Terrific! I hope to see this.
I wish our school found another word in our school to describe the “top” academic students.
This looks like a great and heart-warming movie.