Gifted

Webb does a great job of portraying the relationship between the two central characters, the dialogue is witty and clever, and overall it's very beautiful to watch (and I'm not gay, but looking at Chris Evans doesn't turn me off); but only until the main plot and its unoriginal and stale story kick in. Although I was happy to sit through the whole thing with the likeable characters, I really felt sorry that the script went down this particular path of courtroom shenanigans and more or less abandoned adapting the brilliant Mary to a normal setting and developing the relationships with the supporting characters, which I found by far the most interesting and original part of the film. There are a few very nice and emotional moments, but unfortunately the expected ending fizzles out like bubbles from a badly chilled beer – and it's a pity, because Webb really knows how to evoke the heady feeling of a well served beer. (27/12/2017)

The story of this movie is a very gratifying topic and I expected a solid emotional ride. In the end, however, the movie disappointed me a little, because the flawless topic is intertwined with the lawsuits and the mother-son relationship that I found completely illogical. I really got lost in that. If I were the son of such a mother, I would immediately send her to hell and would no longer talk to her. So, the stuff that happened didn’t really make much sense to me even though I understand a bit why it happened. Everything else was fine, though. It is that sort of gratifying movie that will make you feel good afterward. (21/03/2018)

A small-scale drama in which Captain America looks after an intellectually gifted young girl. The scenes from the court case are held together by nice stories from life in the country and solving the most complicated mathematical equations possible. McKenna plays Grace wonderfully and Evans shows that he not only throws a good shield, but he can manage more demanding tests. You will shed a tear at the end. (24/09/2019)

Marc Webb has a big advantage, he is very aware of the fact that Chris Evans is no longer just the muscular Captain America, but a charismatic actor who can easily handle the roles of a fragile boy with a heart up his sleeve, and this role is far from a first for him. Thematically, this is an accomplished film that is emotionally coherent, healthily light in its approach to the viewer, and at times properly urgent, truthful and personal, with life's wisdoms and truths, yet non-moralizing and without imposing its own mark. Rarely is a film about children so true to the real "what it might really look like", and this one is very close. (08/07/2019)

After a long time, a fantastic drama focused solely on acting performances. I was immensely surprised that Chris Evans could deliver such a brilliant performance without relying on his vibranium shield. Here, he fully utilized his potential and significantly helped the film. Even the young girl, McKenna Grace, with her flawless portrayal of a challenging role, showed her full range; I believe she has a bright future ahead (she reminded me a bit of Dakota Fanning from Man on Fire). The script offers refined dialogues with deeper meaning and a central idea, and it occasionally comes up with effective humor. The story might seem trivial at first, but it almost feels like that’s the point. It deals with the problems of ordinary people, such as who should raise the daughter; while the film stands out with the brilliance of the young girl, it’s a calm film with everything included. I almost forgot to mention the mother’s character, whose snarky remarks also contributed to the film and gave it a different flavor. There are some very emotional scenes, lessons to be learned, and the ending is probably the best possible conclusion. I have no complaints; Marc Webb and the team impressed me with every aspect. I give it 89%. (07/09/2018)

McKenna Grace was brilliantly cast, and you believe that she's a genius girl. But perhaps an even bigger surprise is Chris Evans, who is not just a muscular hunk but can handle even a more complicated role. It is touching, but in a way that the film entertained me, I wanted to know how it would turn out, and I couldn't tear myself away from it. (20/08/2017)