'Gifted' Provides A Welcome Reprieve From Action Movie Options
Gifted
Starring Chris Evans, Octavia Spencer, Jenny Slate, Lindsay Duncan, Mckenna Grace
Drama
Run time - 1 hr 41 min
Rated PG-13
Release date: April 2017 (date varies by location)
In a world where action/superhero movies reign supreme and are often followed closely by raunchy comedies, the emotional films tend to be overlooked - and with good reason. They can often be cliche and tear-jerking in the most predictable of ways.
And then there are movies like Gifted.
Sure there are a few of the traditional, predicted plot points that every moviegoer will see coming, but thanks to stellar acting, some impressively witty moments and a deeper emotional dilemma than those often seen in these family films, this one gets to stand out among the crowd.
Chris Evans does a commendably heartwarming job as the totally-not-prepared-for-this uncle who takes in his deceased sister's young daughter, Mary, who proves to have some truly exceptional mathematical abilities. Mckenna Grace's portrayal of Mary is a standout performance, as she steals the show easily for one as young as she is.
The cast is rounded out with enjoyable roles by Octavia Spencer and Jenny Slate, and help take the audience on the journey of Mary's story as she becomes the subject of a custody battle and intense scrutiny as others try to figure out how her prodigious skills are to be used.
It's safe to say that you'll laugh, you'll cry and you'll probably leave the theater with that warm fuzzy feeling in your stomach, and quite possibly enamored with Chris Evans, if you weren't already.