Gifted

PG-13
Starring: Chris Evans, McKenna Grace, Lindsay Duncan, Jenny Slate and Octavia Spencer
Running Time: 1 Hour and 41 Minutes

This movie was a sweet surprise. It is the story of a young man Frank Adler (Chris Evans) who inherited his sister's six year old daughter Mary (Grace McKenna) after his sister committed suicide. Young Mary just happens to be a mathematical genius and a child prodigy.
Frank finds his world turned upside down and puts every effort he has into making a wonderful life for little Mary. The two of them develop a tender and sweet relationship.They live in Florida where Frank repairs boats and lives in a rundown house.
When Mary starts school she finds herself very bored and she is not being challenged enough. Her teacher Bonnie (Jenny Slate) notices she is not fitting in like the other students. Mary became frustrated and demanded to have Frank come and get her from school. When Mary returns, her teacher decides to challenge her and Mary completes her work at breakneck speed. Her teacher consults with the principal where they determine that Mary is "Gifted". They invite Frank in to discuss their findings with him and recommend a special school for her. Frank refuses and demands to keep her at the local elementary school.
Enter Frank's long lost mother Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan). She is a very proper English woman who suddenly shows up at Frank's front door. She found out that little Mary is a prodigy and demands to take her to her home in Boston and raise her in a more stable environment where she will supply her with all the tools she needs to be challenged and educated in her style.
Little Mary's mother was also a prodigy and a mathematical genius. Her mother Evelyn pushed her and was a very dominant force in her life! Evelyn really wants an opportunity to help move Mary in that same direction.
Frank and Evelyn lock horns and all chaos ensues!
I really enjoyed this movie. I found it to be very touching and heartwarming. Chris Evans did a really good job as Frank and it was great to see him in a serious role. Little Grace McKenna was incredible as Mary, I'm sure we will see her around in a lot more movies in the future. If you just want to go and see a sweet movie and have a break from the regular  intense movies, this will fill the bill.
Parents be advised: This movie is rated PG-13. There is really nothing objectionable about this movie other than some fighting and genuine showing of raw emotion. Also when Frank is really stressed out he drops one F-bomb.
I am giving "Gifted". three bags of popcorn.