While we’re always on the hunt for fresh and exciting drama films, it’s undeniable that the ones released in the 2010s hold a special place in our hearts. Netflix knows this well, which is why they’ve added “Gifted” to their catalog. It definitely is a heartwarming classic in the genre that will hit your emotions.
In just a few hours after its release, the picture shot to the Top 2 worldwide, and it’s easy to see why. “Gifted” delves into themes of family, childhood, and the delicate balance between fostering a child’s extraordinary potential while allowing them to enjoy a normal, happy life.
The story follows Frank Adler, a single man raising his young niece, Mary, whose mathematical genius presents tough choices about her future. Already watched their tale and craving more? Here are 10 incredible facts about the title!
10 things you didn’t know about ‘Gifted’
1) A script bound to be great
In December 2014, Tom Flynn’s screenplay for “Gifted” was selected as one of the 70 screenplays to make that year’s Black List, the annual survey that highlights the most popular unproduced scripts in Hollywood, as voted on by industry executives. It was later performed in March 2015 during the “Black List Live!” Reading Series at the Montalban Theatre in Hollywood.
2) An expert present while filming
Mathematician Jordan Ellenberg, a former child prodigy himself, served as the mathematics consultant for the picture. Director Marc Webb called Ellenberg after reading one of his articles in The Wall Street Journal, so he could share his personal experiences. Ellenberg also makes a cameo in the movie as a professor, lecturing on the partition function.
3) Real hard math!
The Navier-Stokes problem taking center stage in the film is one of the seven Millennium Prize Problems in mathematics. The Clay Mathematics Institute has offered a prize of $1 million to the first individual who can provide a solution to it.
4) Grace Mckenna’s stardom
At the 23rd Critics’ Choice Awards, Grace received a nomination for Best Young Actor/Actress due to her remarkable performance in “Gifted”. The role seemed to suit her perfectly, as she later portrayed a child prodigy in “Young Sheldon”.
5) Marvel connections
There’s a saying that “All paths lead to Marvel,” and “Gifted” certainly embodies this with its impressive cast connections! Chris Evans starred as “Captain America in Captain America: The First Avenger” and its sequels, while Mckenna Grace played a young Carol Danvers in “Captain Marvel”. Additionally, Jenny Slate appeared in another Marvel production, “Venom”.
6) A hidden tribute to Twentieth Century Fox
In the film, Mary’s collection of DVDs features family titles from Twentieth Century Fox, which released “Gifted” through its Fox Searchlight Pictures label. Some of the films included in her stack are “Ice Age,” “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs,” “Garfield: The Movie,” and “Little Manhattan”.
7) Love was in the air (but not for long)
The cast of “Gifted” developed a strong bond, especially between two of its stars! After filming wrapped, Chris Evans and Jenny Slate began dating, but they split nearly a year later. They reunited in November 2017, only to part ways again in March 2018.
8) Marc Webb’s return to original stories
“Gifted” marked director Marc Webb’s first original film since “500 Days of Summer,” which was released eight years prior! During that time, he primarily focused on music videos, collaborating extensively with artists like Green Day, Avril Lavigne, and My Chemical Romance. Plus, the filmmaker directed the “Spider-Man” installments featuring Andrew Garfield, which are among his most known titles.
9) Previous collaborations in the cast of ‘Gifted’
In addition to the aforementioned Marvel connections, some cast members had previously collaborated on other projects. Chris Evans and Octavia Spencer worked together on “Snowpiercer,” while the latter and Jenny Slate teamed up for “Zootopia”.
10) An unexpected bond
Chris Evans found and adopted his dog, Dodger, because the pound scene where he rescues Mary’s cat. He later described it as the best decision of his life, expressing his appreciation for adopting a senior dog and advocating for the care of older pets. In a testament to their bond, Evans even tattooed Dodger’s name on his chest!