Gifted (2017) [Movie Review]



Dir: Marc Webb
Starring: Chris Evans, McKenna Grace, Lindsay Duncan, Octavia Spencer
Dur: 1 hr 36 mins
Genre: Inspirational, drama
Rating: 9.5/10

One of the best movies I have ever seen. The last time I cried so much was when I watched The Notebook. The film surprised me in its content and presentation. The trailer promised an exciting and fun story but the film delivered quite something else. Not that there wasn’t excitement and fun in fact they were there in abundance but the film brought out so many situations and generated so many different emotions. The actors have delivered a top-notch performance. Credit is due to the director is a special way but also to the whole crew.

The story centres around 7 year old Mary (McKenna Grace) who lives with her uncle, Frank (Chris Evans). She is an intellectually gifted child and her uncle gives up everything to give her a “normal” life. Her mother, a math genius, took her own life when the baby was just a few months old. Thus far the story stays true to the trailer but then comes the twist. Frank is put under pressure by his estranged mother, a math genius in her own right, to give Mary the opportunities she deserves to shine as a prodigy. The tussle between mother and son lead to some heart-wrenching and tearful scenes. McKenna acts brilliantly. She expresses herself so charmingly and convincingly that she makes the whole drama come to life. Chris plays a stolid character and puts on a very different show as compared to his other films. The way I see it, the film deserves full marks for story and acting. Even the sound tracks are apt and soulful.

The story is poignant and uplifting. The drama is tangible and tense. The final result is brilliant and inspiring. I sincerely hope that this film finds a place on the list of “all time greats”.  Get your family together and watch this heart-warming story of a “gifted” child and her challenging world.    

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