Chris Evans’ 2017 drama movieGiftedis a touching story about the difficulties of raising a child prodigy, but there are questions about whether it’s based on a true story or pure fiction. Seven years after its initial release in theaters,Giftedhas become an unexpected streaming hit. Since arriving on Prime Video,Giftedhas landed in second place on the streaming charts, behind Amazon’s own blockbuster seriesThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerbut ahead of Zendaya’s tennis dramaChallengers.
InGifted,Evans stars as Frank Adleropposite Mckenna Grace as Mary Adler, his ingenious seven-year-old niece who’s dropped on his doorstep after his sister’s passing. Mary is a gifted kid, hence the title, with an intellect way beyond her years. Frank wants Mary to go to school with kids her age and have a normal life, but her grandmother, Evelyn wants to send her to college where her gifts can flourish. It’s a really moving story, hence the interest in learning if there’s a real-life inspiration behind it.
Gifted Is Not Based On A True Story
It’s A Fictional Creation Of Screenwriter Tom Flynn
Giftedis not based on a true story, as its full plot is a fictional invention by screenwriter Tom Flynn. In 2014, Flynn’s script landed on the Black List (viaThe Hollywood Reporter), an annual collection of the best unproduced screenplays circling Hollywood.Giftedmade it onto the roster with seven votes. Flynn’s script was written entirely from scratch. It wasn’t based on true events or any source material like a novel or a play.
10 Movies About Prodigies To Watch If You Love Gifted
Fans of the movie Gifted will be excited to learn about these other great movies that feature child or young adult prodigies or otherwise gifted folk.
Mathematician Jordan Ellenberg, who was a child prodigy himself, worked onGiftedas a mathematics consultant(viaWisconsin Public Radio). After reading an article that Ellenberg had written forThe Wall Street Journal, director Marc Webb contacted him and asked him to share his experiences to help bolster the realism of the film. Ellenberg even has a cameo appearance in the movie as a professor giving a lecture on the partition function and Ramanujan’s congruences.
Mary Is Inspired By Various Real-Life Child Prodigies
Mary Isn’t Based On Anyone In Particular, But Highly Intellectual Kids Like Her Do Exist
WhileGiftedisn’t directly lifted from a true story, it pulls inspiration from similar situations in the real world. Stories of real-life child prodigies inspired the Evans and Grace feature. WhileMary isn’t based on anyone in particular, the character was created as a parallel to highly intellectual kids like her, who do exist in real life. Famous child prodigies throughout history include Blaise Pascal, John von Neumann, and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz.Giftedmight not technically be a true story, but it pulls from situations, events, and experiences of real-life young geniuses.
Gifted
Cast
Frank, a single man raising his child prodigy niece Mary, is drawn into a custody battle with his mother.
