I recently got to check out a screening of the movie Gifted. A bachelor named Frank Adler, played by Chris Evans tries his best to raise his seven-year-old niece Mary (McKenna Grace) in rural Florida. When it’s revealed that Mary is a budding math prodigy, Frank gets into a custody battle with his mother (Lindsay Duncan) over what’s best for her future. The film also stars Octavia Spencer and Jenny Slate and it is directed by Marc Webb.
I do have to warn you while I won’t be giving any spoilers the movie really pulls at the heartstrings. Be prepared to laugh and cry and experience a bunch of other emotions in between. There were many powerful moments in the film. I saw a lot of fatherhood themes in this film that I could relate to as a dad.
There was one part of the movie that really stuck out for me. It was when Jenny Slates character, Bonnie asks Frank what his greatest fear was. He responded, “That I would ruin Mary’s life.”
I am a father of two daughters. When I found out that I was going to be a dad there were many thoughts that ran through my mind. One of those thoughts was formed out of fear. It was similar to Frank’s fear about ruining Mary’s life. I was scared that I might not be a good enough father to my child. If I failed at being a dad what implications would it have for my child in the future?
There were many times that I pondered that question while I was holding my newborn baby daughter nine years ago. You never are ready for parenthood, but when your child is born you just have to get right in there and do the best you can. We all doubt ourselves. It is just when you question who you are as a parent you start to wander down a path that is not really helping you or your child.
As I was watching Gifted I was able to put myself in Frank’s shoes in certain scenes. The way that Chris Evans portrayed Frank was fantastic. You could see the many struggles that his character was facing during the movie. Evans is not a father yet and even though he does play that father figure in Gifted I wanted to know how he was able to show all sides of being a father figure to Mary especially in that scene when Frank was asked what his biggest fear was.
During a press junket with Chris, McKenna, Octavia and Jenny I was able to ask that question to Chris. He responded, “Personally I had wonderful parents who were beyond excited to take on the role of caregiver. My parents never shied away from any topic or subject. They were vessels of love in every way. I think Frank is a little bit more of the reluctant parent which I think adds a great dichotomy and complexity to the role. It is someone who has to be tender at times, but I think he speaks to her as an adult which I think makes it charming. I cant necessarily say that I drew on experience because every parental figure I looked up to was a cupcake. I think Frank didn’t know how to do it, but he forced himself through it. I think that friction, that gap, that discomfort is what makes it so charming. So when the moments are sweet and tender and he lets that veneer pull back and lets himself feel a little bit I think it makes it all the more sweet because it is not his home base.”
From his response you can tell that he put a lot of thought into this character to make his performance a very convincing one. It is tough to play the role of a parent if you have never been one. I thought I would know how it is to be a dad, but when I became one all of my expectations were thrown out the window.
It is not only Evans who does this movie proud, but the young and talented actress McKenna shines in this performance. She like Evans is able to make you feel every emotion she is going through in the film. The range that she has as an actor at a very young age you can tell she will be in more movies if that is the career she chooses. What about Octavia and Jenny? By now if you have seen their past work you know that they are outstanding as well. The casting was perfectly done.
Gifted is a movie that any person will enjoy, but as a parent I really appreciated what Marc Webb and the cast did to convey the struggles of what a parental figure goes through. There are good times, bad times and even ugly times. It is not all sunshine and rainbows and Gifted is a powerful story that encompasses real life.
I highly recommend this movie to anyone. If you are a parent and wanting to know if your child would be able to see it with you here are my thoughts on that. There is some strong language in the movie. The movie is rated PG-13 and so there are some topics that might not be suitable for anyone under 13. Still when your child gets older I strongly recommend they see the film with you.
Please note: I was part of a movie junket from Fox, but my thoughts are my own.