Gifted (2017)

Gifted (2017) Also known in some French-speaking countries as: Mary Nothing to do with the series “The Gifted,” mind you!

I’d watch any movie just for Mckenna Grace. Whether her movies are terrible or excellent, she always gives a perfect performance (both in music and comedy)! I think I even like her more than Dakota Fanning, who used to be my favorite young actress at one point. But Fanning has recently appeared in quite a few total flops, and I hope McKenna doesn’t make too many missteps down the road. This talented artist is also a singer whose songs I quite like, just like Sophie Thatcher—unlike Sabrina Carpenter’s and Abigail Breslin’s.

Notable performances include I, Tonya (2017), Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024), and Anniversary (2025). I had completely forgotten that she was in Captain Marvel (2019), but, just like Annabelle 3 (2019), it’s not a movie I liked. I really regretted that she only had a small role in Scream 7 (2026), because if she’d had the lead role, everything would have been different. I haven’t seen Frankenstein (2015) or Slanted (2025) yet.

Chris Evans is just as exceptional. Known worldwide for his superhero roles in films like Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007) or Red One (2024), it is primarily thanks to his role as an Avenger—Captain America—that everyone knows him. Yet he’s far from being just that! He was fabulous in films like Knives Out (2019), Injustice: Puncture (2011), and Playing It Cool (2014). I particularly love Cellular (2004). He’s great, even in bad movies like Push (2009), London (2005), or Scott Pilgrim (2010), which nonetheless has an exceptional cast. I still haven’t seen Snowpiercer (2013) or The Iceman (2012) yet.

This duo works a treat!

Getting back to Dakota Fanning (with whom Evans had actually collaborated on Push), one could say that this film resembles I Am Sam (2001) in a few ways. In both cases, the child is more intellectually advanced than their guardian (legal or otherwise) for slightly different reasons. Both films are very touching and compelling. They made me shed quite a few tears.

Sometimes, I spend hours tearing movies apart. In this case, it would be possible to defend it and speak highly of it for a very long time, but I won’t overdo it.

A film that shows what happens when family members don’t get along. But it also shows that you can sit down and talk with someone you’re taking to court, as if it were really a play.

When we tell children to “tell the truth,” we don’t explain what truth we mean! Nor do we explain that they shouldn’t say too much!!! Yes, you need a lot of patience and self-control and must not have anger management issues. Especially if you find yourself in court facing judges who hurl at you atrocities that are completely false, especially when taken out of context.

It’s important to know that a lawyer isn’t always on your side. The law isn’t designed to deliver justice or please everyone. Especially not those without money! The judge always sides with whoever has the money. He doesn’t want to give up his privileges, his big house, his health insurance—obviously!

A feature film that is first and foremost a drama, even if we laugh and smile regularly. It’s not a comedy in the strict sense of the word.

You will see a one-eyed cat (quite original) as well as a person who is allergic to cats (significantly less original)!

Jenny Slate is a lovely surprise in the role of the teacher. It’s a great part. Remember that this actress is also a writer and comedian.

I also really enjoyed Octavia Spencer in the role of the very nice and responsible neighbor.

As for the British actress Lindsay Duncan, I really hated her character in this film. She’s the kind of person who drives me up the wall and I just can’t stand her. A magnificent performance by this film, television, and theater actress.

The dialogue is very well written. And the timing of the responses to certain questions is perfectly calibrated, because the viewer has time to answer them… and then to be surprised or reassured by the protagonist’s reply. But there are always surprises, especially in the explanations that follow.

If every (great) director creates a masterpiece, then this is Marc Webb’s masterpiece. I admit that I don’t really like his films in general.

Pure and so beautiful, this film is simply excellent. I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight a short list of other deeply moving and essential masterpieces in their genre: Dad (1989), Dead Poets Society (1989), My Life (1993), The Straight Story (1999), Finding Neverland (2003), Little Miss Sunshine (2006), and Somebody (2016). That’s already a good start. Stock up on tissues!