An unexpected gift in ‘Gifted’

On the surface, "Gifted" isn’t quite the kind of film that would inspire lofty expectations from its audience. As director Marc Webb’s return to the drama genre after helming Sony’s "Amazing Spider-Man" films, "Gifted" didn’t seem to promise to be anything more than a typical tearjerker. However, while there’s really not much about "Gifted" to make it as quirky or unforgettable as Webb’s directorial debut "500 Days of Summer," there’s certainly enough in this film to merit the price of admission.

Frank Adler (Chris Evans) is a humble boat repairman raising an extraordinarily brilliant child, Mary (McKenna Grace), all by his lonesome. Their simple life is soon thrown into disarray when Mary’s astoundingly advanced mathematical abilities catch the eye of Frank’s estranged mother, Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan), who believes that the young girl’s destiny is to devote all of her time to developing her talents and eventually becoming a true prodigy in the field—the very outcome that Frank, who wants a normal life for Mary, worked so hard to avoid.

Despite having all the ingredients for a mediocre, run-of-the-mill melodrama, "Gifted" manages to become more than the sum of its parts. The parent-and-child relationship between Frank and Mary is handled expertly by their respective actors; everything from their playful banter to their body language suggests a deep, familial warmth that infuses all of their scenes with powerfully moving emotion.

It also helps that a natural chemistry exists between Evans and co-star (and now ex-girlfriend) Jenny Slate, who plays the role of Mary’s teacher, Bonnie. On her own, Grace as Mary is irresistibly endearing, having mastered the art of being as cute as a button while spouting out complex equations and her advanced-for-her-age brand of sarcasm.

The film does leave a number of questions about its protagonists unresolved, but ultimately shows its audience that addressing them is of minimal importance, if not irrelevant, to the film’s main story and message.

For all of its minuscule faults and shortcomings, "Gifted" more than makes up for them with just the right balance of humor, emotion, and character development—which add up to a truly heartwarming experience that will have you alternating between grinning like a fool and bringing out the tissues. — BM, GMA News

"Gifted" opens in theaters on May 4.