Gifted

Seven-year-old child prodigy Mary Adler (Mckenna Grace) lives happily in a coastal Florida trailer park with Uncle Frank (Chris Evans) and her one-eyed cat named Fred. Frank has home-schooled Mary, and when he is working, Mary is cared for by a loving neighbor (Octavia Spencer). But now it's time for Mary to go to a real school and make some friends her own age. From the very first day, Mary's astounding ability with numbers mystifies her first-grade teacher (Jenny Slate), so the principal (Elizabeth Marvel) recommends that Frank transfer Mary to an elite private school for gifted children—on a full scholarship. But Frank turns down the opportunity, saying that he wants his young niece to have a normal, carefree childhood, unlike her mother (his sister), a brilliant mathematician who committed suicide. As the backstory unfolds, Mary's wealthy grandmother (Lindsay Duncan) suddenly shows up, determined to take Mary to Boston, where her superior intellectual abilities can be properly challenged and cultivated at MIT—leading to a custody battle. Tom Flynn's refreshingly original and often humorous screenplay is sensitively directed by Marc Webb, blending amusement with melodrama, while adroitly avoiding sentimentality. Young Grace shows astonishing talent, while Evans ably displays compassionate conflict, and Spencer oozes warmth. A subtle and satisfying film that packs a considerable emotional punch, this is recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include an “HBO First Look” behind-the-scenes featurette (14 min.), deleted scenes (8 min.), production segments on “Story” (2 min.), “An Accomplished Task” (2 min.), “Inside the Equation” (2 min.), “Marc's Method” (2 min.) and “On Location” (2 min.), and a photo gallery. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a fine drama.] (S. Granger)