Gifted (I)

A tug of war over a young math genius makes for competent, if unexceptional, storytelling — but young Mckenna Grace steals the show.

2936d ago

Chris Evans stars in Marc Webb's comedy-drama about a man fighting to maintain custody of his 7-year-old niece.

2936d ago

“Gifted” means well, but it’s nonetheless a formulaic movie, missing the wit and charm needed to make this kind of picture add up to something truly special.

2936d ago

Marc Webb has emerged from his pair of Andrew Garfield Spider-Man flicks in one piece—alive to tell the tale. Unfortunately, he should have held out for a better tale to tell.

2936d ago

Gifted is a dumb and handsome movie about smart people.

2936d ago

It is redeemed by an appealing cast, tart dialogue and the preponderance of genuine emotion over the manufactured variety.

2936d ago

Fresh off the 'Spider-Man' series, Marc Webb directs a drama about a child prodigy, but it's as formulaic as his blockbusters.

2936d ago

What’s in a child’s best interest? It depends on who’s answering the question. That’s the crux of Gifted.

2936d ago

Gifted may be bogged down by some generic dramatic beats, but young Mckenna Grace is the beam of sunshine that keeps us from losing faith.

2936d ago

Gifted may rely on the extremely old-school lovable-orphan-and-adopted-parent template, but there’s a certain emotionally complex realism to both the performances and the storyline that lifts the film beyond the obvious and the cliched.

2936d ago

This contrived mashup of "Proof" (earth-shaking algorithms), "Kramer vs. Kramer" (nerve-wracking custody battles) and "Little Man Tate" really isn't much.

2936d ago

Gifted's notes are crowded out by the screenplay's plot machinations and emotional manipulations.

2936d ago