Chris Evans is an actor known for taking on various roles over the course of his career. Most notably, he portrayed Steve Rogers, also known as Captain America, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
However, Evans has shown that he can do more than just play a superhero. He’s taken on different types of characters, including villains like in the movies Knives Out and The Gray Man.
Beyond that, Evans has been involved in romantic comedies, though those roles are often underrated. Yet, one of his most unique films is Gifted.
The film, directed by Marc Webb, tells a compelling family story and gives Evans a role that stands out in his filmography because it feels like his most grounded and realistic character to date.
In fact, Evans plays such a key role in Gifted that his performance is a large reason why the movie works as well as it does.
Gifted centers around Chris Evans’ character, Frank Adler. Frank is a mechanic who takes on the responsibility of raising his niece, Mary (played by Mckenna Grace), after his sister’s death.
Mary is no ordinary seven-year-old girl. She’s a math prodigy, far ahead of other children her age. Frank, however, wants to give Mary a normal life, fulfilling what he believes were his sister’s final wishes.
He decides to enroll Mary in a public school, despite her incredible intelligence. Mary herself isn’t too fond of other kids and tells Frank that she doesn’t like school. Still, Frank insists on giving her the experience of an ordinary childhood.
However, things take a turn when Mary’s teacher, Bonnie Stevenson (played by Jenny Slate), recognizes Mary’s brilliance.
Bonnie brings up Mary’s potential with Frank, and they begin a romantic relationship along the way. This sets the stage for the conflict at the heart of the movie.
Frank’s mother, Evelyn (played by Lindsay Duncan), enters the picture, believing that Mary should attend a private school that can nurture her talents better. Frank disagrees, leading to a heated custody battle between the two over what’s best for Mary’s future.
The movie has moments that are both emotionally moving and heartwarming, with Frank’s fight to keep custody of Mary at the center.
Frank deeply believes that he’s fulfilling his sister’s wishes, wanting Mary to have the childhood that his sister could never have.
The court scenes are powerful, with raw emotion driving the tension between Frank and Evelyn as they debate over how best to raise Mary.
The movie doesn’t hold back in showing the difficulties of trying to do the right thing in a complicated family situation.
Gifted itself had an interesting journey to the screen. The screenplay, written by Tom Flynn, earned a spot on what’s known as the “Black List,” a collection of Hollywood screenplays that have been highly praised but have not yet been made into films.
Being included on the Black List is a huge achievement for writers, and some famous films like Juno and Argo started off as Black List scripts.
Yet, not all scripts on the Black List actually get made into movies. Out of the many screenplays that have appeared on the list, fewer than half have been produced. So, the fact that Gifted went from being a Black List script to becoming a full-fledged film is impressive in itself.
To ensure the accuracy of the math presented in the movie, the filmmakers sought help from a former math prodigy.
Director Marc Webb came across an article about Jordan Ellenberg, who was a math whiz during his childhood.
After Webb reached out to Ellenberg, the former prodigy was brought on as a math consultant for the film. He even makes a brief cameo appearance.
With Ellenberg’s guidance, Gifted features real math problems, like the Millennium Problems, which adds an extra layer of realism to the film.
Ellenberg described his role on the set, saying, “The director and the producer wanted to make sure that there was someone who really understood the math.”
Ellenberg’s involvement added to the authenticity of the movie, ensuring that the math scenes felt believable and true to the story.
The performances in Gifted are another reason why the film works so well. Chris Evans shares the screen with a talented cast, including Lindsay Duncan and Octavia Spencer, who plays Frank’s next-door neighbor, Roberta.
Duncan delivers a strong performance as Frank’s determined mother, Evelyn, with whom Evans shares several intense scenes.
Spencer, as Roberta, provides a more lighthearted dynamic, often serving as Frank’s voice of reason. However, the two people Evans spends the most time with onscreen are Mckenna Grace, who plays Mary, and Jenny Slate, who plays Bonnie.
The chemistry between Evans and Grace is one of the highlights of the movie. They share several memorable scenes together, especially early on when their close relationship is established.
Frank comes across as a caring, yet firm guardian, particularly in scenes where Mary tries to talk her way out of going to school. Despite Mary’s clever attempts to manipulate him, Frank remains patient but resolute.
Another notable moment comes when Frank is called to the school because Mary got into trouble. After she punches another student, Frank must handle the situation, staying calm yet stern.
Evans’ performance in these scenes highlights Frank’s deep love for Mary, while also showing his commitment to raising her right, even when she challenges him.
On the other hand, Evans’ scenes with Jenny Slate show a different side of Frank. He is less guarded around Bonnie and opens up to her about his fears and the weight of his responsibilities.
Frank confesses that he’s scared of losing Mary and talks about how his mother’s pressure on his sister to succeed influenced his decision to give Mary a normal life.
Evans and Slate have strong chemistry in these scenes, which is not surprising since the two actors were dating in real life at the time of filming.
While their off-screen relationship didn’t last, their connection on screen brings depth to their characters’ bond. The romance between Frank and Bonnie feels genuine, with both characters finding comfort in each other amid the chaos of their lives.
Gifted stands out in Chris Evans’ career because it allows him to show more range as an actor. In many of his previous roles, he’s been pushed to extremes.
As Captain America, he played a hero with a strong moral compass, while in Knives Out and The Gray Man, he took on villainous roles that showcased the worst of humanity. In Gifted, though, Evans finds a balance.
Frank is not a hero or a villain; he’s just a regular guy trying to do the best he can. This makes Evans’ portrayal of Frank feel relatable and human.
His performance in Gifted allows him to show emotional depth, making the character of Frank one of his most memorable roles.
Ironically, Evans returned to playing a more down-to-earth character recently in the film Ghosted. Although the movie’s plot is far from realistic—Evans’ character gets caught up in an adventure involving a CIA agent—it still allowed him to play a character closer to his role in Gifted.
In Ghosted, Evans portrays Cole Turner, an ordinary guy who ends up in extraordinary circumstances, much like Frank in Gifted.
Despite the action-packed storyline, Evans’ character remains grounded and relatable, showing that Evans can handle a wide range of roles.
In conclusion, Gifted is a special movie in Chris Evans’ filmography because it allowed him to showcase a more nuanced, emotional performance.
While the movie may have received mixed reviews when it first came out, it’s worth watching, especially for fans of Evans who want to see him in a more down-to-earth role.
The film’s heartfelt story, strong performances, and its focus on family dynamics make it a standout in Evans’ career and a movie that resonates with audiences looking for a feel-good story.
