I’ve been called special…. probably not the same thing….

Ahead of its release tomorrow in the UK, we bring you a fresh mini meh ahead of general release which may get lost in the throng of various summer blockbusters still to come over the next few weeks. Let’s be honest, do we really think Transformers: The Last Knight will be anything other than explosion porn? Even the Fast and Furious attempted something 3% different this time around, and to be honest, it was that which made it a lot more interesting. Ok, we all know we just want to see the Rock and Jason “Steel Nipples” Statham on a road trip next film. Just give us that Universal dammit!

Anyway, moving on. In an effort to have a butchers at something different (and of course courtesy of a free screening), we shine our magic meh light onto the indie film Gifted, which has Captain America exchanging his shield and spandex for a little girl and a crap little house in Florida. Yep, Chris Evans takes on the role of Frank Adler who didn’t fight the Nazis, but instead took on the care of his late sister’s daughter Mary (played very well I might add by Mckenna Grace). They live a very simple life, Frank fixes boats and Mary pretty much seems anti-social.

Mary doesn’t want to go to her new school because school sucks. I agree. But things start to go meh when Mary starts showing the rest of the kids how maths should be done and confounds her new teacher Bonnie (played by Jenny Slate). So much so that it turns out she’s bloody good and a genius it seems. An offer is made to put Mary in a school for gifted kids and Frank basically says no. Why? It seems his family has history which seems to mean that Mary will not have a chance for a normal childhood.

This is pretty much the crux of the plot moving forward as we begin to find out what those experiences were and potentially how damaging they were to the Adler family as Frank’s mum turns up to in essence take custody of Mary. Seems she has plans for Mary, so she does….. dun dun duhhhhhh!

The new hopefuls on America’s Got Talent. Simon still will hate them, the b*stard.

So actually we have a drama which will play out in very sedate, quiet settings which are at times quite heartbreaking. There’s some real comedy in here too as honestly, Mckenna as Mary pretty much just kicks bottom and wins you over, even when she’s being difficult. There’s a moment as well where she stands up for one of her classmates and you won’t be able to help but just admire her. Her answers with Chris and the time they spend together is also quite heartwarming. There’s genuine affection shown, which sucks you in all the more when they have problems. Mainly as Mary walks in on the morning after when Frank and Mary’s teacher did naughty. Awww yeah!

The dynamics of the relationships of all the main characters is also quite interesting, where the next door neighbour, played again brilliantly by Octavia Spencer makes her feelings about Mary very clear to Chris Evans. Some wonderful performances here keep you glued to the plot which is certainly not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. It does bring up the question of course, of when are you trying to push your children too far, that they will break and not actually enjoy life? Is not pushing them at all and holding back also the right course of action?

The duplicity as well shown by the mum is at times, astonishing and yet, you do understand why she did what she did. All in all, an nice little film, simple filled with emotional scenes and great humour. Good casting too ensures that at the very least should be watched when you can. 100% more than the bloody forthcoming robotic meh of Transformers: Cash-Cows in disguise.