Gifted may revolve around a second-grader, but it deals with serious issues, including suicide and parental abandonment, that make it more appropriate for older tweens and up. There's some kissing, and a couple is shown in bed, under a blanket (it's implied that they had sex together). A couple drinks shots while hanging out together, and there's some swearing (including "s--t," said by a child and one use of "f--k") and overtones of violence (a second-grader, defending a classmate who's being bullied, hits another kid and draws blood). But the message that there's more to life than being smart is a worthy one, and courage is a clear theme. Chris Evans, Octavia Spencer, and Jenny Slate co-star.
The film is directed by Marc Webb producer and director, known for (500) Days of Summer (2009), The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) and he Amazing Spider-Man 2: Rise of Electro (2014).
WHAT'S THE STORY? GIFTED Mary Adler (Mckenna Grace) has always been homeschooled by her devoted but beleaguered uncle, Frank Adler (Chris Evans). A former philosophy professor, Frank now makes a pseudo-living fixing boats while he raises Mary, a second-grader who's fascinated with differential equations and anything to do with advanced mathematics. But then he decides she needs to start making friends her own age and attending a regular school. Within a day, it's clear the elementary school in their Florida town is far from adequate, after Mary's teacher (Jenny Slate) intuits that her new student is far more advanced than her peers. Frank is told about a chance for Mary to attend a school for gifted kids, which he turns down. This prompts further interventions, which occasion the arrival of Frank's mother, Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan). Evelyn is a mathematician herself, and she helped nurture Frank's sister's monumental academic gifts; sadly, Mary's mom died when she was in her early 20s, shortly after giving birth to Mary. Evelyn thinks Mary belongs with her and shouldn't be raised by her wayward son; Frank wants to raise Mary like any other kid (albeit one whose best friend is their landlady next door (Octavia Spencer). Who will prevail in court?
MOVIE INFO Rating: PG-13 (for thematic elements, language and some suggestive material) Genre: Drama Directed By: Marc Webb Written By: Tom Flynn In Theaters: Apr 7, 2017 Runtime: 101 minutes Music: Rob Simonsen Cinematography: Stuart Dryburgh Studio: Fox Searchlight Cast: Chris Evans, Octavia Spencer, Jenny Slate, McKenna Grace