Gifted (2017)

Intriguing, right? It's a solid premise that is lent the aforementioned sincerity first and foremost by the honesty that the chief performers bring to their roles.

As the anchor of the film, Chris Evans is rather fantastic. The man who is known as Captain America is an empathetic and intelligent presence that, anytime he speaks, tells both the person he is addressing as well as the audience that he understands not only why we feel the way we do, but that he too has considered the emotional and logical factors of the given situation and believes with his whole being that he is doing the right thing.

What is interesting about Gifted is that while Flynn has crafted his story from the perspective of Frank we are never ushered in a particular direction where we're told who to root for. Naturally, we'll root for Frank to retain custody of Mary as that seems only right given the time he's invested with her and the relationship they have developed, but there are a fair number of solid points raised by Evelyn and her lawyer that would understandably win them the case as it is presented in court.

Even better is the fact it doesn't matter which side we come down on in terms of opinion, but more that Webb and his film don't make things as much about who wins as they do about the acknowledgement of pure human decency. Gifted is a vote for tenderness; a vote to not simply read the headline and rush to conclusions, but a plea to take in all factors, to get the entirety of the picture, and to come to one's verdict in a way that reflects the best facets of the human race.

Evans' performance as Frank is very much this mentality incarnate. There is a scene late in the film where Frank makes Bonnie privy to a time in his life when he wasn't sure how to move forward. He tells Bonnie of the moments soon after gaining custody of Mary where he would consider taking her to child services, but that every day-when he was about to do so-she would do something cool. Something that would amaze him. It is a small insight that speaks volumes about the enormous love and reverence that can manifest in a parent as well as the greatest of devastation's when you feel you have let your child/children down. There is nothing more heartbreaking for Frank than feeling as if he's failed Mary and in scenes where as much comes to pass Gifted breaks the viewer of any cynicism they might have harbored and instead tangibly delivers profound, heartfelt moments that genuinely move you.