Gifted

The day of her first school session arrives, and Mary is not excited about leaving her comfortable home. She wishes for Frank, her guardian, to continue homeschooling her instead of facing the outside world.

As Frank prepares to send Mary off to school, he meets his landlady Roberta, who expresses grave concerns about Mary's social integration. She worries that Mary's exceptional abilities could lead to unwanted attention and separation from Frank.

Upon arriving at school, Mary's disenchantment is palpable during her math class with Bonnie. She quickly grows bored and voices her frustration over the lack of challenge in the lesson.

When Bonnie attempts to discipline Mary by providing complex math problems, Mary astonishes everyone by solving them all with ease. Her intelligence becomes apparent, raising eyebrows among staff and students alike.

After impressing the teacher and others, Mary boldly asks the Principal if she is 'the boss,' insisting on being removed from class. Frank is summoned to the school to discuss Mary's behavior and capabilities.

Bonnie delves deeper into Mary's background, discovering the tragic history of Mary's mother, Diane, who was a gifted mathematician before her untimely death. This revelation leads Bonnie to confront Frank about Mary's true potential.

During a school bus ride, Mary witnesses the bullying of a fellow student and bravely steps in. Her decisive action against the older bully showcases her courage, but it also brings unwanted attention from the school administration.

After Mary’s heroic act, the Principal proposes enrolling her in a gifted program. However, Frank staunchly declines, believing that Mary should have a normal childhood filled with playful experiences.

Mary's estranged grandmother, Evelyn, arrives at Frank's home with an intent to take Mary away, sparking a power struggle between her and Frank. Evelyn's controlling nature puts Frank on the defensive, fueling tension between them.

As Frank refuses to let Evelyn take Mary to Boston, she decides to take legal action. This leads to court battles that unravel deep-seated family resentments, especially concerning Diane’s legacy and Frank's life choices.

Feeling overwhelmed with the situation, Mary decides to cut ties with Frank after he leaves her with the foster family. Her sorrow is palpable as she yearns for her beloved cat that she fears she may lose.

Upon learning that the foster family plans to put her cat up for adoption, Frank races against time to save the animal. This act becomes pivotal in demonstrating his unwavering love for Mary.

Frank finds Mary trying to escape from the foster home. In a heartfelt moment, he seeks her forgiveness, and they share an emotional reunion when Mary learns her cat is safe.

Back at home, Frank confronts Evelyn with a revelation about the mathematical proof Diane had worked on. He offers her a choice: publish it and leave Mary alone, or let it remain unpublished until her death.

In the end, Mary finds a balance in her life by attending university classes in the mornings while keeping her spot in elementary school during the afternoons. Frank and Bonnie share a hopeful glance, indicating new connections forged through adversity.