When the initial details about Gifted surfaced, it immediately sparked interest. Promising a blend of humor, warmth, and a cast of incredibly talented actors, it seemed like a film destined to resonate. Having had the opportunity to attend an early screening, the anticipation proved well-founded; the movie captivated the audience, and personally, it was a deeply moving experience. Gifted distinguishes itself by mirroring real-life complexities without resorting to clichés or moralizing. It beautifully illustrates that family extends beyond bloodlines, encompassing the bonds we consciously forge. Through a tapestry of intricate themes, the film culminates in a poignant narrative about the essence of love and the sacrifices we make for those we cherish.
Note: Be aware that significant plot details for Gifted are discussed below. Proceed with caution if you wish to avoid spoilers!
Gifted centers on Frank Adler (portrayed by Chris Evans), who is the guardian of his niece, Mary (Mckenna Grace), following his sister’s untimely death. Mary exhibits extraordinary mathematical abilities, marking her as a child prodigy. However, Frank is determined to provide her with a conventional upbringing – one filled with social interactions, friendships, and mainstream education. This vision clashes with that of Frank’s estranged mother, Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan). Evelyn is convinced that Frank is stifling Mary’s exceptional talent, fearing that Mary will become disillusioned and resentful of the limitations imposed upon her gifts. This divergence of opinion ignites a contentious custody battle, setting mother against son in a familial conflict.
One of the most compelling aspects of Gifted is its nuanced portrayal of characters, avoiding simplistic labels of “villain” and “hero.” Initially, Evelyn might appear to be the antagonist, driven by a desire to exploit Mary’s abilities, as Frank sarcastically puts it, for “think tanks, to talk nontrivial zeroes with old Russian guys.” Frank’s sarcasm and disapproval initially frame his mother’s intentions as self-serving. However, the narrative deepens when we learn that Evelyn herself was a mathematics prodigy, as was her late daughter, Diane—Mary’s mother. This revelation offers a crucial perspective on Evelyn’s motivations, explaining her fervent desire for Mary to realize her full potential. While it doesn’t justify her methods, it adds layers to her character, making her actions more understandable. Evelyn sees in Mary a reflection of Diane and the unrealized possibilities of Diane’s curtailed life (Diane, it’s revealed, tragically died by suicide). Yet, despite the understandable roots of Evelyn’s actions, her approach to shaping Mary’s life is ultimately misguided.
During a pivotal courtroom scene, Evelyn recounts a poignant story about preventing a 17-year-old Diane from running away with a young man she loved, even pressing kidnapping charges against him. The underlying reason becomes clear: Diane was yearning for normalcy amidst her isolated existence as a prodigy. She craved human connection, but Evelyn, fearing it would diminish Diane’s potential, inadvertently confined her daughter to a life solely defined by her intellectual gifts.
Scene from Gifted movie featuring Chris Evans and Mckenna Grace in a classroom, highlighting the film's exploration of balancing prodigy with childhood.
This context amplifies the emotional weight of Frank’s words later in the film, creating a powerful impact. Trailers for Gifted lead us to believe in Frank’s purely noble intentions. Indeed, Mary is undeniably happiest with him; she is free to be herself, and as she eloquently states, Frank cherished her even before recognizing her genius. Frank became Mary’s guardian unexpectedly; his sister arrived one evening with baby Mary, and upon his return from a date, he found his sister deceased and the infant on the couch. It’s a heartrending origin, underscoring that Diane’s life was so overshadowed by her giftedness that once she solved her mathematical problem, she seemed to lose her sense of purpose. Though Diane is only seen in photographs, the film poignantly conveys the isolation and entrapment she must have endured.
Frank is acutely aware of this. He carries a degree of self-blame for not fully recognizing his sister’s plight, but he understands the isolating nature of her life and resolutely wants a different path for Mary. He believes Diane would have wanted her daughter to experience joy, play, and the simple pleasures of childhood. However, Frank is not without flaws.
It’s revealed that Frank initially gained custody of Mary by impulsively taking her across state lines, away from Evelyn. His avoidance of conflict led him to remove Mary from the situation and raise her independently, with the support of his compassionate neighbor, Roberta (Octavia Spencer). Frank is a multifaceted character—highly intelligent, revealed to have been a philosophy professor before Mary’s arrival. He values intellect but equally understands the importance of normalcy. While Evelyn accuses him of suppressing Mary’s gift, there’s a kernel of truth in her accusation. On Mary’s first day of school, Frank advises her against showing off. Yet, Mary’s innate abilities shine through when she astounds her teacher, Bonnie (Jenny Slate), with her mental math prowess.
While Gifted allows us to empathize with Evelyn, seeing her actions rooted in a complex past, it also reveals Frank’s imperfections. He can be stubborn and sarcastic, and he does, in a way, ask Mary to downplay her true self. Yet, fundamentally, he is driven by love. He is the character consistently willing to make sacrifices for Mary. His life is irrevocably shaped by her presence, and Chris Evans’s portrayal of a flawed, emotionally wounded man redeemed by a child’s love is deeply compelling.
Promotional image for Gifted movie, featuring Chris Evans and Mckenna Grace, emphasizing the emotional core of this gifted movie.
The film takes a surprising turn when a custody compromise is reached—neither Frank nor Evelyn is granted sole custody. Mary is placed in foster care, a mere 25 minutes from Frank. Evelyn coldly asserts that this arrangement is superior to Mary’s life with Frank. However, in a significant plot twist, Frank discovers that the foster family is not impartial; Evelyn is residing in their guest house, arranging tutors for Mary without Frank’s knowledge or consent. This revelation, genuinely surprising, underscores Evelyn’s manipulative control over Mary’s life. But then, the narrative shifts again. Frank presents Evelyn with Diane’s completed work on the millennium prize problem. Evelyn is incredulous, as Diane had never finished it, and surely would have published such a monumental achievement. Frank then reveals Diane’s condition: he was sworn to secrecy, to only release the paper after Evelyn’s death.
(At this point in the screening, a collective gasp rippled through the audience.)
Frank explains that Evelyn now has a choice: dedicate her life to defending Diane’s groundbreaking work and cementing her legacy, or relinquish the paper and allow Frank to raise Mary. This ultimatum forces Evelyn to confront her priorities. As Frank leaves her to grapple with this profound decision—raise Mary and forfeit the paper, or contact MIT and embark on the rigorous defense of Diane’s theorem—Evelyn breaks down. In a deeply moving scene, she sifts through a box, finding Diane’s handwritten notes, revealing a grief for her daughter that she has never truly processed. Despite her flaws, Evelyn’s love for Diane, however misdirected, was profound, and this paper is the last tangible link between them.
Gifted may adhere to certain predictable narrative arcs (the happy resolution, the somewhat foreseeable romance between Frank and Bonnie, enhanced by the palpable chemistry between Evans and Slate). However, it transcends predictability through the exceptional performances of Evans and Grace. Both actors effortlessly navigate the emotional depths of their characters, eliciting collective sniffles from the audience at several poignant moments. They also master the film’s dry humor; a line delivered by Mary to Bonnie elicited the loudest laughter during the screening. While Chris Evans might be a significant draw—and his performance is indeed exceptional—Mckenna Grace is undeniably the film’s breakout star. This young actress commands every scene with a grace and poise remarkable for her age. She evokes both laughter and tears, her nuanced expressions and comedic timing are superb, and one particular scene of her screaming and crying is guaranteed to leave viewers emotionally shattered. The chemistry between Evans and Grace was crucial, demanding believability in their pseudo-father/daughter relationship. This chemistry not only met but exceeded expectations.
Ultimately, Gifted is a deeply affecting film about love, sacrifice, and the multifaceted nature of family. Prepare to bring tissues, but also to leave the theater with a renewed sense of hope. And that, perhaps, is the most enriching experience a movie can offer.
