Nathan Ellis (Asa Butterfield) is confused by normal human interactions. His father Michael told him that his superpower is his math abilities but Michael is killed in a car accident when he was a kid. His mother Julie (Sally Hawkins) struggles alone. At school, Nathan is bullied except for irreverent math teacher Martin Humphreys (Rafe Spall). They work towards the International Mathematics Olympiad which Martin was a former participant. Nathan gets accepted and sent to Taipei for math camp led by Richard (Eddie Marsan). He finds other socially awkward math geniuses and Zhang Mei who is often dismissed for being the niece of the Chinese team coach.
The best scene is Sally Hawkins ordering Chinese takeout. This has some good characters, and some good scenes. Asa Butterfield plays autistic well. It would help the story by compressing several of the elements. Going to Taipei adds a little exoticism but it separated Nathan from his two important connections. The story would be more dramatic if he has to deal with Julie and Martin's budding romance. There is simply more possibilities if everybody stays together. The students are great character additions. The movie would work better by concentrating on math camp and staying at home.
The best scene is Sally Hawkins ordering Chinese takeout. This has some good characters, and some good scenes. Asa Butterfield plays autistic well. It would help the story by compressing several of the elements. Going to Taipei adds a little exoticism but it separated Nathan from his two important connections. The story would be more dramatic if he has to deal with Julie and Martin's budding romance. There is simply more possibilities if everybody stays together. The students are great character additions. The movie would work better by concentrating on math camp and staying at home.