The Gift * * * * out of * * * *
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Keanu Reeves, Giovanni Ribisi, Katie Holmes, Greg Kinnear, Gary Cole, Hilary Swank, Kim Dickens, Michael Jeter, J.K. Simmons. Directed by: Sam Raimi Running Time: 111 minutes Rated R: violence, language, sexuality, nudity.
Movies that start out, and capture me from the opening titles are movies that do not exist that much. The last movie to make me sit up and watch every single moment of the movie was 1999's "American Beauty", of course this year we had excellent movies such as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "Traffic", and now "The Gift". It's a horror thriller directed by film master Sam Raimi that is so moody, well acted, and well written that in the end it is a treat to watch.
Annie Wilson (Cate Blanchett) is a young woman in a small-town, who is widowed and lives with her three young boys. She brings in the people of this town because she is a psychic, and she gives readings for people and they give her as in her own words "donations". Annie, of course in this small town has a few enemies one of whom is Donnie Barksdale (Keanu Reeves), he believes she is a witch and she told his wife Valerie Barksdale (Hilary Swank) to leave him because he physically abuses her. Valerie however thinks of Annie as a friend as does the mentally unstable Buddy Cole (Giovanni Ribisi), who is oddly confused about having nightmares about a blue diamond.
When Annie is called to her son's school after he is in a fight, she meets the principal Wayne Collins (Greg Kinnear) which she finds her self attracted too, however he is engaged to the young Jessica King (Katie Holmes). When Annie sees Wayne and Jessica together she gets a bad feeling that overcomes her and sees an image that she will never forget. At a party she sees these two again, and goes out to get some fresh air and catches Jessica with a wealthy lawyer David Duncan (Gary Cole), she doesn't disrupt the two, but learns of the disappearance of Jessica a few days later. The cops are drawn to Annie to try to help with her psychic abilities. As Annie is about to find out, there is a lot more than what it seems that lies beneath this disappearance.
Sam Raimi has done such a great job with "The Gift" that I am proud to name it one of my best films of 2000. The thing that stands out the most in the film however is the acting, and especially that of Cate Blanchett in the lead role. To me she gives the best female performance I have seen, and definitely deserves an Oscar Nomination for her role. She is a very beautiful actress in Hollywood, and it's nice to see her starring in good movies (Her last being "The Talented Mr. Ripley"). In the supporting roles Greg Kinnear gives a somewhat bland performance, and doesn't really suit his character. After his Oscar Nominated role in 1997's "As Good As It Gets", he hasn't had really many big roles. Keanu Reeves is not one of my favorite actors at all, but he gives it all he can, and in the end Keanu Reeves actually clocks in a great performance as a realistically scary man. Hilary Swank fresh off her Oscar Winning role in 1999's best film "Boys Don't Cry", she gives yet another fantastic performance in a great but small role. Gary Cole whom is always good, gives a nice creepy performance as the rich lawyer. Next to Cate however I think Giovanni Ribisi gives the best performance in the movie as the mentally unstable Buddy, he gives it all he can and goes over the top in scenes and it works out great. Katie Holmes as the promiscuous Jessica is stellar in her performance, and shows she can do nudity in a non gratuitous style. Kim Dickens (Hollow Man) is nice in her small role also.
The script written by Billy Bob Thorton (whom also starred in Sam's 1998 masterpiece "A Simple Plan") is that of a great one. The dialogue is tightly written, and the twists and plot changes come fast and quick. The ending is especially surprising, and will leave a tear in your eye, and a smile on your face. Sam Raimi's direction puts so much atmosphere in the film, that at times you almost seem like you are a character in the film. For those fans of Raimi check out the car Cate Blanchett drives, a nice little homage to the "Evil Dead" series.
"The Gift" is one of the best films of 2000, and one of my favorite thrillers in a long time. Everything in the movie stands out, from the acting, to the script, the direction, to the editing. I can't wait to watch this one again, its a winner!
Reviewed by Brandon Herring 1/26/01. (C)
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