Gifted charms in a predictable way

Movie Title: Gifted

Grade: A-

Rating: PG-13, 101 minutes

In a Nutshell: This quick-witted film charms and pulls tears out of your eyes. Directed by Marc Wed (The Amazing Spider-Man 2), takes a look at parenting especially gifted children and trying to find a balance for a happy life.

Uplifting theme:

Love, family, loyalty
It’s ok to be a child and not grow up too fast.
Even Einstein learned how to ride a bike.

Things I liked:

McKenna Grace is fantastic as the brilliant Mary. She has a bright future in Hollywood, if she wants it.
Captain America! I love Chris Evans in anything.
Octavia Spencer is always a sure win. She was recently in Hidden Figures, a wonderful movie about some other females who are great at math. Maybe this film can help girls to start thinking more about how cool math is.
We heard Jenny Slate’s unique voice in Zootopia, but this time we get to see her too. She’s irresistible.
The scene in the hospital was really touching. That was a brilliant idea Frank had.
I thought it was adorable seeing Mary sit in a college math class wearing her little Brownie outfit. I was a Brownie when I was her age. Um….that’s pretty much where the similarities end. Ha ha
Nice soundtrack.
I loved the sunset beach scene where Mary is climbing up Frank, like little kids do, while they have a conversation. Their relationship is really sweet.
This reminded me of Jodie Foster’s old movie Little Man Tate that is also about a child prodigy. It also has elements of Searching for Bobby Fischer in case you’d like to watch a couple of other movies that have similar themes.
Fred. I thought it was great that they featured a “defective” pet and I got a kick out of all the loving one-eyed cat jokes they made about their beloved cat.

Things I didn’t like:

Deadbeat dad. They make me so furious.
I always think it’s weird when kids call their parents by their first names instead of “Mom” or “Dad”.
Pretty predictable ending, although there is a little twist I thought was interesting.
Evelyn’s character seems a little too one-dimensional.

Funny lines:

“I dunno. Try being a kid.” – Frank (Chris Evans)
“If anyone takes that baby away, I’ll smother you in your sleep.” – Roberta (Octavia Spencer)
“Fred’s not a killer. He’s a lover.” – Mary (McKenna Grace)
“If we separate our leaders, if we segregate them from people like you and me, you get….Congressmen.” – Frank
“I’d kill a priest for a Benadryl.” – Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan) I can relate. My allergies this year have been INSANE!
“Manufacturers of Legos should all be in jail.” – Frank (I can relate to that one too. I stepped on a million Lego pieces while raising my 4 sons.
“Frank says I’m not supposed to correct older people. Nobody likes a smart-ass.” – Mary
“I don’t watch TV, but I got hooked on Sponge Bob.” – Mary
“Foster people….they can watch Sitcoms with her, take her to Olive Garden, teach her to say ‘irregardless’…” – Evelyn I had to laugh at that because I’m such a grammar Nazi.
“You drive like an old lady.” – Mary

“It’s Florida. I’m blending in.” – Frank

Interesting lines:

“Never get on the bad side of small-minded people who have a little authority.” – Evelyn
“What about Jesus?” – Mary

“Love that guy. Do what he says.” – Frank

“It doesn’t count if it’s not eye to eye.” – Frank, referring to apologies

Tips for parents:

Some profanity, including one F-bomb. I especially hate it when little kids swear in movies.
Pre-marital relations.
It’s an interesting look at how parents with gifted children need to balance those gifts and provide appropriate education levels with just being a little kid.
There are no explosions or huge action scenes, so some kids may be bored. It’s one of those “talking” movies, which I love, but it may not keep some kids engaged long enough.