Gifted (2017)

Gifted shows some growing up, both on the part of director Marc Webb and star Chris Evans. Evans appears to be moving into his post-Avengers mode of his career by trying to build up a resume filled with little, quality films that give him a chance to show that he can act. Gifted is clearly a chance for that and it shows him to be a competent actor although nothing in this performance stands out. I think that might be a good move on his part as he doesn't need to own this movie or give a "stand-out" performance. He just needs to show he can be something more than Captain America. While his role here isn't much more than a stones throw from the all American hero he is most known for, the film is enough of a step away that he's clearly showing his desire for range and he does a respectable job.

For Webb, who is likely smarting after his much maligned attempt to reinvent Spider-man went horribly wrong, He is trying to show that he is a serious film maker again. His breakthrough (500) Days of Summer was a lovely treat but the work of a much less experienced film maker. With Gifted he is trying to show a more reasoned and thoughtful approach. And like his star he does a respectable job. Gifted does feel a bit paint by numbers. It doesn't rock any boats like Summer did. But it is effective and charming and just not straight forward enough to feel fresh.

Gifted has that irresistibly lovable quality that charming "indies" often do, giving us an uplifting story that plays to our fears of not having perfect lives. This is commonly in contrast to the rom-com trope of presenting us with the perfect lives we wish we had and telling us this could be yours if you just follow the prescribed formula. But as is often the case with these films, Gifted's ending takes the easy, and unfortunately unbelievable, route out by wrapping up the problems with a nice, reassuring bow which just doesn't fit into the realm of reality.

But Webb and Evans brings a charm to the whole thing that makes Gifted remarkably watchable and enjoyable even when I was rolling my eyes at the legal aspects of the film which were mostly nonsensical.  Part of Webb's strength here is casting McKenna Grace, Lyndsey Duncan, and Octavia Spencer in critical roles, each of whom is luminescent on screen, bring their characters to life in complicated and fascinating ways, and refuse to comply with the stereotypes they could have fallen into. 

So Gifted is one of those films that can be enjoyed even while we know it's not all that, an imperfect but well intentioned charmer. Perhaps like it's star and director who show they have a lot for us to look forward to in the future.

Gifted
Starring: Chris Evans, McKenna Grace, Lyndsey Duncan, Octavia Spencer, Jenny Slate
Director: Marc Webb
Writer: Tom Flynn