“Gifted” Movie Review

7 years ago

Frank Adler (Chris Evans) is late for a date when his brilliant mathematician sister shows up at his door with her infant daughter, Mary, needing to talk.  Frank told her they can talk later.

When Frank got home after his date, he found Mary on the couch and his sister dead (from suicide) in the bathroom.

Now

After home-schooling Mary (McKenna Grace), Frank has decided she needs friends, and activities, that only school can provide, so, as the movie opens…… Mary is heading off to 1st grade at the local public school.

Frank’s neighbor and friend, Roberta (Octavia Spencer), is not happy about this move.

Mary is brilliant (like her mother) and Roberta thinks she will not be challenged at a public school.  She is right, but Frank thinks it is best for Mary to be well rounded not just focused on academics like his sister was.

At school, Mary is bored stiff and Mary’s teacher, Bonnie (Jenny Slate), quickly realizes that Mary is one in a million. Although Bonnie tries her best to challenge Mary, she knows she cannot spend the time needed…… and seeks the assistance of the principal.

Oooops….

One thing leads to another and Frank and Mary find themselves mired in all kinds of legal shit as Frank’s domineering mother, Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan), forces her way back into Mary’s life with the goal of completing her, and Mary’s mothers, life goal of solving one of the Millenium Prize Problems in Mathematics.

To see what happens, you will have to watch the movie. 🙂

“Gifted” is a special movie dealing with real-world decisions associated with a gifted child. It is a very difficult task balancing a “normal” childhood with academic rigor.  In our case, with a gifted child in literature/arts, we had to decide whether or not to let Kristen (Carol’s best friend) read adult books (novels, textbooks, etc) when she was only 7 years old (we decided she needed to read them), but, we kept her out of GATE classes until 6th grade (where she met Carol, who was gifted in math and science) and encouraged participation in outside activities (she eventually became a water polo player and lifeguard during high school).

Minor Spoiler: Sadly, Frank’s sister completed her “life’s work” at a young age and could not see what was left to do.  Sometimes being too smart is a problem.

Go to IMDb for more information.

Drive Safe!  Never Forget.