Jodie Foster’s directorial debut is the story of Fred (Adam Hann-Byrd), a child prodigy often overwhelmed by the world outside his head. He can solve complicated math problems and play piano with spooky proficiency. Herself a prodigy of sorts (as a preternaturally composed child actress), Foster — who also plays Fred’s mother Dede — subtly conveys the conflict between wanting to develop one’s amazing gifts and needing to be a normal kid just like everyone else.
