Watch The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet

The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet is a 2013 adventure drama film directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. It is based on the novel The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet by Reif Larsen. The film stars Kyle Catlett as T.S. Spivet, a 10-year-old brilliant scientist who embarks on a journey to receive an award for his invention of a perpetual motion machine, after being invited to Washington D.C. by the Smithsonian Institution. The movie also features Helena Bonham Carter, Judy Davis, and Callum Keith Rennie in supporting roles.

The film is set in Montana, in a small town called Divide, where the Spivet family lives. T.S.'s father, a cowboy, is distant, while his mother, a passionate entomologist, is obsessed with finding a rare species of beetle. His sister, Gracie, is a typical teenager, taken up with makeup and boys, and his younger brother, Layton, is a precocious prodigy who shares T.S.'s love of science. T.S. is the odd one out, a genius child who is passionate about science, physics, and cartography, and who loves nothing more than to make detailed maps of his surroundings.

T.S.'s life changes when a letter arrives from the Smithsonian Institution, inviting him to come receive an award for his invention of a perpetual motion machine. T.S. is ecstatic and decides to go to Washington D.C. to receive the award. Without telling anyone, he embarks on a journey that takes him from Montana to the other side of the country, making use of his talents as a cartographer and inventor, and dodging obstacles along the way. Along the way, he meets a colorful cast of characters, including a one-legged librarian (Helena Bonham Carter) and a lonely trucker (Callum Keith Rennie).

The film is a marvel of storytelling, with vivid visuals, quirky characters, and a mixture of humor and seriousness that captures the essence of childhood. The story of T.S. Spivet is told through a combination of voice-over narration, animation, and live-action, and the result is a film that is both visually stunning and emotionally resonant. Jeunet's direction is, as always, inspired, with a sense of whimsy that permeates the entire film.

One of the highlights of the film is the outstanding performance of Kyle Catlett as T.S. Spivet. He is utterly captivating as the precocious child genius who is struggling to find his place in the world. He is able to convey T.S.'s mix of intelligence, innocence, and vulnerability in a way that is both charming and heart-wrenching. The supporting cast is also excellent, with Helena Bonham Carter giving a touching and funny performance as the librarian who T.S. befriends, and Callum Keith Rennie bringing real depth of feeling to his role as the truck driver.

The film is not without its flaws, however. At times, it can feel episodic, with T.S. encountering one oddball character after another. Also, some of the humor can feel forced, particularly when it comes to T.S.'s family. However, these flaws are minor in the grand scheme of things, and are outweighed by the film's many strengths.

In conclusion, The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet is a wonderful film that captures the essence of childhood and the beauty of science. It is a film that will delight children and adults alike, with its mix of adventure, humor, and heart. With its stunning visuals, quirky characters, and outstanding performances, it is a film that demands to be seen.

The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet is a 2015 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 53.