GIFTED review - Such a gift

(Reviewed by Melody Werner)
Gifted is a 2017 drama/slice of life film directed by Marc Webb (of Amazing Spider-Man notoriety). Released by Fox Searchlight, it was written by Tom Flynn and features Chris Evans, Mckenna Grace, Lindsay Duncan, Jenny Slate, and Octavia Spencer. It's about the young, gifted niece of a guy, who feels as though he isn't ready to take care of a child, and a case for the custody of the kid. It was met with good critical reception and was a major commercial success given its budget. So, this is a really sweet flick.

Not much can be said of Gifted's aesthetic merits, at least not by me, but I will attempt to say something here regardless. A film like this needs to look natural, and thankfully the sets and wardrobes were pretty solid and believable. I'm no expert on judging cinematography, but from what I could pick up on it, seemed to be adept. The music blends into the background and doesn't really ever lift any moments up to unforgettable status.

Despite being predictable in many ways, it does a great job in hitting all of the familiar beats with such sincerity and a deft hand that it does just about the best you can do with a material like this in this day and age. Narratively, it takes the form of a slice of life tale, and at times even echoes Calvin & Hobbes. So it is fortunate that Gifted is boosted by Flynn's lovely dialogue, which is perhaps the film's single greatest strength when it comes to writing. You'll have whole scenes where characters are musing to one another about things like faith and religion; but in the same way in which the works of Bill Watterson never descend into preachy screeds, neither does Gifted. It all flows naturally. Though it chooses to be lackadaisical at times, its pacing never truly drags... unlike that of a certain film I will be reviewing very soon.

Dramas sink or swim based on their performances, and judging by the acting in Gifted one could rightly mistake it for an Olympian swimmer. It helps that the cast is uniformly excellent, with Mckenna Grace showing such bona fides that she could certainly have a long career ahead of her. Chris Evans gives a performance that ought to be scathing for anyone who might dismiss him for his work as Captain America; he really sells his part, which the film hinges on just about as much as it does Grace's, considering how he has greater screen time and just as important a character for the plot. The supporting cast fares just about as well, with Glenn Plummer doing a stellar job as the lawyer of Evans' character.

Gifted is not the biggest movie. Nor is it one that I think anyone will lift up as their favorite, or one of their favorites. But I do think plenty will consider it to be a really, really good take on its style of story. And I seriously hope Disney doesn't screw around with Searchlight so much, since they've been putting their name to some superb stuff. Gifted gets a 9/10 from me.

Excellent

Summary:

A surprisingly warm little film that sure showed just how much better cinema can be than a... certain film I watched right before this and wasn't particularly happy with. You'll know it when I gorge upon its innards.