Director: Marc Webb
Starring: Chris Evans, Mckenna Grace and Octavia Spencer
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have achieved the appreciation of Chris Evans. Ever since his rise to stardom during the 1990’s, Evans has become an icon. Whether it’s beloved heroes, suspects of murders or political leaders, Evans has portrayed many strong characters. Evans’ finest strength as an actor has often been his likability. Evans is one of those rare actors that has always embodied the qualities of heroism. Through his capability to portray superheroes which are compelling, Evans has built a legacy in Hollywood which is lasting. Shining a bright light in darkness, Evans has transformed into one of the most iconic actors in entertainment. Evans’ abilities to embody strong qualities of heroism has made him a beloved icon that has achieved stardom. Throughout his long-lasting career, Evans has made many films discussing strong themes which are definitely without any doubt worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of Evans and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Gifted” is my favourite. Released in 2017, Marc Webb’s film offered a powerful portrait of gifted kids. Packed with breathtaking production, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the greatest films ever made about parenting. At a centre of it all is an excellent performance by Chris Evans, who embodies a single father struggling to raise a daughter. Ultimately, what makes “Gifted” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about gifted kids, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. A riveting masterpiece about gifted children, there are many several reasons why “Gifted” is a great film that is absolutely worth watching.
“Gifted” tells the story of a single father that struggles to raise a child that’s gifted. Chris Evans plays Frank Adler, a single father that faces financial pressure. Frank has commonly shared a strong bond with his daughter Mary (McKenna Grace), whom he loves dearly. Mary is a gifted young girl with a talent for math that she has always cared about deeply. Frank has always done everything in his power to provide for his daughter. However, Frank’s life changes forever when he discovers grim consequences of raising an intelligent daughter. Faced with a terrifying custody battle, Frank is soon forced to wonder if it’s possible to care for a daughter that’s special. As he faces obstacles proving to be unexpected, Frank questions if he can care for a girl that’s gifted.
Marc Webb is fascinated with the themes of parenthood. A fantastic filmmaker, Webb has often crafted engaging movies about parents under pressure. His iconic film “The Amazing Spider-Man” offered an engaging depiction of superheroes sharing broken bonds with their parents. With “Gifted”, however, Webb crafted his first ever drama about parenting. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of fathers seeking to raise daughters which face catastrophe but he succeeded tremendously. Inspired by Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar”, Webb expertly uses montages to capture the lives of fathers facing pressure. For instance, montages enhance the father daughter bond scene. During this unforgettable scene, Frank spends precious time with his daughter during a day. Through captivating montages, Webb crafts a portrait of father-daughter bonds that audiences can relate to. Montages are tricky techniques. As Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out” suggested clearly, montages enhance murder mystery movies. Nevertheless, it works in the film. Using stunning visuals, Webb captures tensions gifted children are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Gifted” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Evoking Gil Junger’s “10 Things I Hate About You”, Webb effectively uses the setting of a school to capture tensions that gifted girls are facing. For instance, setting of the school enhances the classroom lecture scene. During this unforgettable scene, Mary demonstrates her talent for mathematics in her school. Using captivating school settings, Webb creates a portrait of gifted children that is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Rob Simonsen’s commemorated music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing burden that gifted children bear. Using breathtaking production, Webb captures the lives of gifted children that face tension.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Gifted” is a movie about gifted kids which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the bonds between fathers and daughters. For instance, silence elevates the farewell scene. During this memorable scene, Frank bids tearful farewell to his daughter after she leaves for a custody. Through silence, Webb creates a portrait of fathers that audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Celine Song’s “The Materialists” suggested, silence elevates movies capturing materialistic lovers. The Russo Brohers’ “Avengers: Endgame” did suggest clearly, silence enhances comic-book movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spellbinding screenplay, Webb captures gifted children that endure a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Chris Evans delivers one of his best career performances as Frank Adler. Evans earned appreciation for captivating comic-book superheroes. With “Gifted”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t simple to portray a father struggling to raise a gifted child but he succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in the past before: intense, charismatic and truly emotional. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and grief of a single father. It’s a fantastic performance from a fantastic actor.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Chris Evans; the supporting cast is also amazing. Octavia Spencer is spectacular, and captures the charisma of a woman that raises gifted children causing dilemma. McKenna Gace is magnificent, capturing the intelligence of a young girl that seeks success in a tough class causing tension. Lastly Jenny Slate meters appreciation. As a concerned mother, she brings heartfelt emporium to the movie.
Finally, “Gifted” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing children which prove gifted. Unlike most movies about gifted kids, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses relatable themes such as angst, mental health and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of educational dramas to appreciate it.
Fans of Chris Evans would definitely enjoy “Gifted” and so would movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating parenting classic, it honours an actor that is iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about conflicted fathers struggling to take care of children that are gifted, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy through his abilities to portray larger-than-life characters in movies that deserve to be appreciated.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 