Seven year old Mary (Mckenna Grace) is living in the care of her Uncle Frank (Chris Evans). She is a mathematical genius but Frank wants her to lead a normal a life as possible after having seen how the same gift consumed and ultimately destroyed her mother. Mary’s grandmother Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan) however, wants to ensure that her potential is fulfilled whatever the cost, so a custody battle ensues.
This is pretty formulaic stuff, lacking any of the subtlety of the similar themed Kramer vs. Kramer (1975). It is pretty clear from the start that we should be rooting for Frank’s plans for Mary’s childhood as Evelyn is portrayed as a one-dimensional villain.
Duncan has little opportunity to show her ability as an actress, a fate that also befalls other fine supporting cast members Octavia Spencer and Jenny Slate, although Evans shows that he can be a good performer away from his Captain American persona. After seeing a number of surprisingly good child performances recently, it is also a shame that Grace’s feels far from natural. You can see the effort in the acting from a mile away.
Pleasant enough, with one nicely heartfelt moment featuring Fred the cat, this is strictly by the numbers film making.
Rating: 5.5 out of 10