A Beautiful Mind: Review of Gifted

Gifted

Director: Marc Webb

By Alex Watson

While it's script might not be perfect, Marc Webb's Gifted is a movie with a great deal of heart. Making the most of the charms of debut actress McKenna Grace, Webb's film about a child genius is one driven by heavy emotion. While this family drama does boast some fine performances, it approach feels way too formulaic.

Mary Adler (McKenna Grace) is a 7-year-old girl who lives with her boat repairman uncle Frank (Chris Evans) in Florida. When she begins first grade, it becomes apparent that Mary is a mathematical genius. While the school offers to send her an academy for gifted children, Frank outright refuses the offer, stating that his late sister wanted her to have a normal life. The arrival of his estranged mother Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan) will ignite a bitter custody battle.

The easy going feel of Gifted does serve it well in the early stages. The minute Mary steps into her first day of class- she's like an acid-tongued whirlwind that teacher Bonnie (Jenny Slate) cannot handle. Mary is very much a child far removed from the rest of class, but having no friends her ages is of no great concern "Kids my age are boring!" she shrugs. Neighbour Roberta (a drastically underused Octavia Spencer) is a close to a friend as she allows. There is also a sense of sadness and frustration of being out there on her own. While the early scenes show a lovely bond between Uncle and niece, you can sense this is not built to last. Frank is wary of the attention and pressure of being a prodigy- his sister was entirely devoted to solving the notoriously difficult Navier-Stokes problem. Failing to do so resulted in her suicide and Frank taking custody!

Once word gets out of Mary's ability with numbers- Evelyn breezes back in much to the reluctance of Frank. After this introduction, the movie's dynamic shifts to being more of a courtroom piece. Evelyn abandoned his sister when she became pregnant as she considered her talents wasted. Moving the movie to the law courts- this piece soon becomes a mudslinging affair. Sadly we never really get the full sense of the family feud and everything seems far too civilised for this type of battle. Part of the issue is that we're not sure quite why Frank's status as guardian is being challenged? He has provided, given loving stability whereas Evelyn has shown no interest in her grandchild since birth. Webb gets too wrapped up in finding reasons to drag this family apart that it interferes in the logic of the film.

Gifted is a movie that desires to run on sheer emotional power. While unashamedly a tear jerker, Webb thankfully doesn't resort to courtroom fireworks to get his point across. There are numerous question raised as to whether farming Mary out to higher learning institutions will be a blessing or a curse? Frank is always steadfast in his view that Mary should be a normal, happy child. However, having already outgrown her current academic surroundings, there is always a notion of her becoming restless and resentful. Annoyingly the picture doesn't ever expand on this point and the difficulty morality of this choice is second place to family issues.

Chris Evans in a change of pace from playing Captain America is still as likeable as before. While it might not be a career defining performance, he is still a nurturing and amiable presence. McKenna Grace is left to steal the show with ease. While in a difficult of playing the smart-alec child with the ability to annoy, Grace carries it off with effortless charm. Possessing a sharp wit and quick answer for anything- this young actress is impressive as a young girl with a dangerous set of brains. While cold and mostly unlikeable, British actress Lindsay Duncan is also related as Evelyn. A woman wanting to correct earlier mistakes, her intentions are always in conflict with another.

Gifted is a movie that returns Marc Webb to the talents he displayed in movies like 500 Day of Summer. Although its direction is a little confused, it is still impossible to dislike.

Flying Without Wings: Review of Birdman

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu

By Alex Watson  

If someone had told you that acclaimed Mexican director, Alejandro González Iñárritu's return to the big screen would be a black comedy starring Michael Keaton (aka Batman) then most people would probably ask you how many pints you had consumed! But it appears that this has come to fruition and the Babel and Amores Perros director returns with his dark satirical film, Birdman. Keaton hasn't had a role this meaty in years, can Iñárritu bring out the best in him? 

Riggan Thompson (Michael Keaton) is a washed up movie star who was once the beloved star of the Birdman movie franchise. In an attempt to be taken seriously, Thompson is adapting a Broadway stage production of Raymond Carver's story 'What We Talk About When We Talk About Love' which has been beset by problems, including egomaniac method actor Mike Shiner (Edward Norton) and his drug addict assistant daughter Sam (Emma Stone). But in the midst of the mayhem, can Riggan keep his head and give an 'honest' performance? 

Birdman is a bizarre but ultimately brilliant piece of original work from Iñárritu. Armed with a fascinating pitch black tone and beautifully shot by Emmanuel Lubezki, the Mexican maverick has created something truly special and the talented cast succeeds in carrying the weight of expectation. Riggan is a man who after passing on Birdman 4 over 20 years ago, has become permanently trapped inside his winged character (the character speaks to him in his mind off stage) and he is straining regain any sense of credibility which on stage is difficult to come by, as Lindsay Duncan's acid tongued reviewer tells him "You're a celebrity, not an actor!" and then informs him she will destroy his play for invading her turf before she has even seen it.

The camera work by Lubezki also contributes a great seamless feel to this movie and as we glide in and out of various rooms, it feels as if we are glimpsing the actors in their most personal moments which gives an almost intrusive feel to proceedings. The script however by Iñárritu , Nicolas Giacobone, playwright Alexander Dinelaris and Armando Bo, is one to savor. Together they bring us a story complete with shocking yet natural humour along with a building psychological feel of a man who has bitten off more than he can chew.

All around Riggan's production there are problems to be seen, firstly star Lesley (Naomi Watts) has encouraged him to bring on board her arrogant boyfriend Mike, who although a big box office draw is immediately dismissive of Riggan's talent and seems to cause mayhem over the littlest details, including drinking real gin rather than water on stage which results in disastrous preview performances! Along with being continually belittled by Sam for being more of a 'has-been' because he rejects bloggers and twitter, the man's mind is beginning to crack and his feathered friends words are speaking louder than ever.

Iñárritu also makes the audience think about a number of important factors such as the importance of careful stage planning, the ego of actors and finally what it means to be creative in this world. Riggan is literally investing his whole life in this make or break piece of art and we secretly we fear the effect of an ill received performance. But unlike this earlier work, there is a brilliant sense of rawness and reality to Birdman, which accurately demonstrates the misgivings life in theatre can bring. One sequence we see our hero lock himself out the theatre mid performance and having to make an impromptu sprint through a crowded Time Square in just his underwear! 

Michael Keaton is given the role of a life time to play and he pulls things off magnificently! Playing an man with everything to prove to the acting world, Keaton exceeds all expectations and firmly captures Riggan's ambition along with his continually beaten down persona. Under the influence of his old Birdman friend, Riggan is a man who seems able to put all things aside and make the show go on as planned. A career best for Keaton and it has to be said, a very smart piece of casting by Iñárritu because few men on the planet would understand this role better than Keaton himself!

Edward Norton also makes for a memorable on screen jerk as Mike, his ego soars higher than Birdman himself could probably fly. Throughout the production he berates and insults the man who gave him the role and continually rants on about stage is the only honest acting art. Norton does well to poke fun at his apparently troublesome antics when making movies and firmly marks the supporting honours as his own. Also look for a surprising straight performance from comedian Zach Galifianakis as Riggan's weary lawyer who forever has his work cut out for him.

Alejandro González Iñárritu has delivered one of 2014's most memorable and engaging piece of cinema and Birdman is a stunning change of direction for this man. If you needed proof of Michael Keaton's talent, then look no further than this film. This has one of my highest recommendations and this kind of cinema deserves to be seen by all!