This award-winning film is brilliantly directed by Marc Webb ("500 Days of Summer"), working from a script by Tom Flynn ("Second String"), who brings us a heart-warming PG-13 (mild profanity) story about their conflict. Of special note: He has given us a lengthy single-take scene of the girl and her uncle idly chatting while the girl climbs on him like a jungle gym. They are on a beach, silhouetted against a gorgeous sunset. Clichéd, but captivating.

The cast:

• * Chris Evans ("Captain America") is Frank Adler, striving to be the parent his gifted niece otherwise would not have. He knows exactly what his sister wanted for her little girl but his mother doesn't agree. Evans has NEVER been more appealing!
• * Mckenna Grace ("Designated Survivor") is our prodigy Mary Adler, a little girl who loves her cat and is wise beyond her years, but she's still a little girl...Just check that disarming smile. This girl has natural talent and is beautifully directed.
• * Lindsay Duncan ("Sherlock") Evelyn knows what is best for her brilliant granddaughter and she will not allow any amateur to stand in her way. Only an actress of Duncan's calibre could inhabit such an icy, conflicted character.
• * Octavia Spencer ("Hidden Figures") Roberta Taylor is the practical voice of reason, a loving neighbor who actually cares about the child. When she steps up to intercede, no one dares challenge her. This actress exudes intelligence and warmth.
• * Jenny Slate (LOTS of TV) Bonnie is Mary's first teacher in a public school. She has no idea what she is in for!
• * Fred, the cat isn't listed in the cast. Hmmmm... I wonder if that's his real name.

We have decent, principled people to cheer, with no gunshots, vehicular mayhem or blowie uppie stuff. We see wildly innovative approaches to effective parenting. How can we NOT love this terrific film! After the press screening, we revisited the many, many scenes that we found laugh-out-loud funny, wrenchingly sad, goose bumps satisfying and most of all: Entertaining.

See this film!