“The Gift” (2000)

Horror

Running Time: 130 minutes

Written by: Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson

Directed by: Sam Raimi

Featuring: Cate Blanchett, Giovanni Ribisi, Keanu Reeves, Katie Holmes, Greg Kinnear and Hilary Swank

Donnie: “I’m guilty of cheating on my wife, of being a bad husband, a bad Christian. But I ain’t guilty of killing Jessica. I swear to God.”

Critical Commentary

“The Gift” is a psychological thriller movie directed by Sam Raimi and released in 2000. The film stars Cate Blanchett, Keanu Reeves, Giovanni Ribisi, Hilary Swank, and Katie Holmes. The story revolves around a woman named Annie (Blanchett), who possesses psychic abilities and uses them to help solve a murder case in her small town. The movie has received generally positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. Many praised the film for its strong performances, particularly Blanchett’s portrayal of a woman struggling to come to terms with her supernatural powers. Reeves also received praise for his convincing portrayal of a menacing antagonist.

The movie’s suspenseful atmosphere and cleverly crafted plot were also praised. The film’s pacing and use of suspenseful music kept audiences on the edge of their seats throughout the movie, while the story’s twists and turns kept them guessing until the very end.

Overall, “The Gift” is a well-crafted and engaging thriller that will keep viewers entertained and on the edge of their seats. With a strong cast and a cleverly written story, it is definitely worth a watch.

However, some critics did criticize the film for its use of stereotypical southern Gothic tropes, such as the portrayal of the small town as a place of backwardness and ignorance. Additionally, some viewers may find the film’s use of supernatural elements to be a bit contrived or cliché. Despite these criticisms, “The Gift” remains a well-regarded film that has aged well since its release. Its strong performances, suspenseful plot, and atmospheric direction all contribute to a memorable viewing experience. If you enjoy psychological thrillers or are a fan of any of the film’s talented cast, “The Gift” is definitely worth checking out.

The film also explores themes of faith, morality, and the power of belief. As Annie struggles with her psychic abilities and the implications they have on her religious beliefs, the film raises questions about the nature of faith and the role it plays in our lives.

Overall, “The Gift” is a thought-provoking and engaging film that is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers. While it may not be perfect, it is still a solid example of the psychological thriller genre, with strong performances, clever plot twists, and an eerie atmosphere that will keep you on edge from beginning to end.

It’s also worth noting that “The Gift” features a strong female lead, which was somewhat rare for the thriller genre at the time of its release. Annie is a complex character who is not defined solely by her supernatural abilities, but rather by her intelligence, resourcefulness, and compassion. Her struggles with her psychic powers and her attempts to use them to solve a murder case give the film a unique twist that sets it apart from other thrillers. In addition to the strong performances from the main cast, the supporting cast also shines. Ribisi and Swank, in particular, deliver standout performances as the troubled and emotionally complex suspects in the murder case. Holmes also gives a solid performance as a young woman caught up in the events of the story.

“The Gift” is a well-crafted and engaging thriller that deserves more attention than it has received over the years. If you’re a fan of the genre or any of the talented cast members, it’s definitely worth checking out.

Technical Commentary

Video

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.86:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, “The Gift” arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment. The release is sourced from an older master whose limitations show even though there are no traces of problematic digital corrections, there is a general flatness on the visuals that is common for video content, not organic film content. So, delineation and clarity are very rarely adequate, while depth is almost always underwhelming. In many darker areas the dynamic range of the visuals quite simply isn’t right as well. Colors are stable, but this is another area where major improvements are needed so that the overall balance is right. Image stability is good. 

Audio

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.  The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track was excellent, never revealing signs of ageing. 

Special Features

• Commentary – in this exclusive new audio commentary, critics Nathaniel Thompson and Troy Howarth discuss in great detail the production and stylistic identity of The Gift, the Southern ambience of the film, Sam Raimi’s career and image, etc. 
• The Gift: Creating the Score – in this exclusive new interview, composer Christopher Young discusses the early stages of his career in the film industry, his approach to scoring The Gift, and how the music recreates the unique ambience of the American South in the film. In English, not subtitled. (11 min).
• The Gift: A Look Inside – this archival featurette takes a closer look at the conception and production of The Gift. Included in are clips from archival interviews with director Sam Raimi, Cate Blanchett, Keanu Reeves, and Giovanni Ribisi, amongst others. In English, not subtitled. (12 min).
• Theatrical Trailer – a vintage theatrical trailer for The Gift. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).
• TV Spots – four vintage TV spot for The Gift. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).
• Promotional Interviews – a gallery of archival promotional interviews with director Sam Raimi and cast members addressing their involvement with The Gift. In English, not subtitled.
• Production Featurettes – presented here are three archival featurettes that focus on the production of The Gift. In English, not subtitled.