West Lothian Courier

Webb back on safer ground

- Gifted (12A)

We’ve become more accustomed to seeing Chris Evans wield a shield taking out maniacal supervilla­ins as part of Marvel’s Avengers than playing a mere mortal in the real world.

In fact, you have to go back seven years to find the 36-year-old’s last high profile, mainstream non-Captain America cinematic role – and even that was in another comic book-inspired outing, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

Drama Gifted marks a real change of pace, then, for the Boston-born star as he plays single man Frank, who is drawn into a bitter custody battle with his mum Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan) over his mathematic­al genius niece Mary (Mckenna Grace).

Despite a return to more grounded heroics, though, the comic connection­s still follow Evans around as Gifted is helmed by Marc Webb; the man who left Spider-Man in such a state with his two Amazing Spider-Man movies that Marvel had to secure joint rights to the webbed hero and reboot his cinematic story for a second time.

But although Webb got his fingers burned in the blockbuste­r world, lets not forget this was the man who helmed ace 2009 indie rom-com 500 Days of Summer.

He doesn’t quite reach those heights here, but moving back into lower budget territory seems to have re-energised the director and his latest flick survives the unwelcome comparison­s to five-time Oscar winner Kramer vs. Kramer.

Working from a script by little known writer Tom Flynn – whose only previously penned film was 1993 comedy Watch It (which not many people did!) – Webb has crafted an endearing-but-predictabl­e family drama.

The highlight is the believable bond between Evans and Grace. They say to never work with kids, but Evans has as much of a glint in his eye sharing scenes with the youngster as he does when trading quips with Robert Downey Jr.

You want Frank to end up being the one to look after Mary, not least thanks to an overthe-top, misguided turn by Edinburgh native Duncan’s (Alice in Wonderland) custody rival.

It’s always good to see Octavia Spencer, but Webb makes the cardinal sin of giving the Oscar winner very little to work with as Frank and Mary’s well-meaning neighbour Roberta.

The problem-solving abilities of Grace’s human calculator are never allowed to get too complicate­d to travel over our heads – this is no kid-friendly A Beautiful Mind.

One key decision by Frank feels too forced – and leads to an awkward moment that evokes memories of 1987 comedy Baby Boom in its manipulati­ve attempt to test our tear ducts.

But even when Webb and Flynn overdo the sugar-coating, their lovable leading duo are there to save the day – and ensure Webb’s calculated risk of returning to the spotlight just about pays off.

 ??  ?? Adding up to greatness Evans and Grace bond in Gifted
Adding up to greatness Evans and Grace bond in Gifted

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