When a child prodigy is fought over for custody by uncle and grandmother, “Gifted” presents an emotional climax of an unexpected event. This funny, drama-filled film unleashes sensitivity before your eyes, touching the hearts of viewers, and helping them understand the difficulty of trying to give a child a normal life, without letting go of their potential.

Author, novelist, and journalist Tom Flynn wrote a script that illustrates the struggles of a single man raising his gifted niece, trying to give her a typical seven year-old life, and learning to deal with the pressures of her extraordinary mathematical talent every second of every day. Marc Webb directed the movie, which was released on DVD in July 2017 with availability on Redbox and On Demand.

The movie tells the tale of Frank Adler (played by Chris Evans), who is raising a child prodigy, his vibrant niece Mary (eleven year-old McKenna Grace) in coastal Florida. Evans demonstrates devotion, authority, nurturance, and the influence of being a good role model for Mary as her father figure through his convincing performance as Frank.

Throughout the film, Frank plays a guessing game of what his sister would have wanted for Mary when deciding what’s best for her and her mathematical abilities.

Frank’s decisions come to the attention of his estranged mother Evelyn (played by Lindsay Duncan), who drags Frank to court for what she thinks is best for her granddaughter. Duncan characterizes Evelyn to suddenly become the grandmother that wants what’s best for her granddaughter: to live her gift to the fullest, and to do only that.

If you fall deep into the movie, you’ll shed tears, burst with laughter, and figure out if Frank is doing the right thing, compared to what his mother wants for Mary. The script reveals Frank’s battle with himself on different parenting situations, like fighting, attitude, and breaking the rules. Some of the scenes are emotionally hard to watch, such as when Mary is caught in these types of situations, and the viewer knows what’s to come.

The Floridian setting embodies laidback, dirt road living. The playful soundtrack keeps you grounded and lets you join in on what the characters are feeling at the time. The song “Pretty Bird” by Crooked Still represents Mary’s love and the joy that she brings to others. Mary and Frank made promises to each other that are then broken, and this song is Mary’s journey, Frank’s feelings.

This remarkable story is great for families to share, because it emphasizes putting your child first, and not yourself. It also makes you think, if my child had a gift, what do I think would be best for them?