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The Gift
2000
Annie Wilson (Cate Blanchett) is a young widow living in Brixton, Georgia, who does psychic readings. She has a power that allows her to see things her neighbors don't see, and she talks about the things that they try to keep quiet. She eventually stirs up trouble by advising Valerie Barksdale (Hilary Swank) to leave her .. Read more
| Starring | Cate Blanchett, Keanu Reeves, Katie Holmes, Greg Kinnear |
|---|---|
| Director | Sam Raimi |
| Genres | Thriller |
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The Gift
Annie Wilson (Cate Blanchett) is a young widow living in Brixton, Georgia, who does psychic readings. She has a power that allows her to see things her neighbors don't see, and she talks about the things that they try to keep quiet. She eventually stirs up trouble by advising Valerie Barksdale (Hilary Swank) to leave her abusive husband Donnie (an effectively menacing Keanu Reeves). Donnie chases after Annie and threatens her and her young sons. Then Jessica King (Katie Holmes), a sexually liberated rich girl, disappears, and Annie has visions of a gruesome murder that endangers her own life. THE GIFT is an unusual supernatural thriller. Director Sam Raimi (A SIMPLE PLAN) and DP Jamie Anderson use the huge gnarled trees and foggy swamps of Savannah to create a palpable sense of dread, and Raimi really knows how to jolt an audience. The script, by Billy Bob Thornton (SLING BLADE) and Tom Epperson, has enough twists to keep the audience guessing. Blanchett is very believable, and Giovanni Ribisi gives a heart-wrenching performance as Buddy Cole, a disturbed young man who seeks Annie's counsel. Their relationship gives the film an emotional weight that makes it more than just a good thriller.
| Starring | Cate Blanchett, Keanu Reeves, Katie Holmes, Greg Kinnear, Hilary Swank, Giovanni Ribisi, Michael Jeter, Gary Cole, Chelcie Ross, Kim Dickens, Danny Elfman, Stuart Greer, Alex Lee, J.K. Simmons |
|---|---|
| Director | Sam Raimi |
| Studio | LIONS GATE HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 47 mins Watch now: 1 hr 51 mins |
| Certificate | DVD: , Watch Online: |
| Genres | Thriller |
| Language | DVD: English Watch Online: English |
| Hearing-impaired | English |
| Subtitles | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 17 Sep 2001 Watch now: 26 Sep 2009 Production year: 2000 |
| Watch now | £2.49 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (5)
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Director Sam Raimi continued his move from the wild cartoony excesses of The Evil Dead and its sequels with this southern supernatural thriller. Co-scripted by Billy Bob Thornton, the eerie tale has widow Cate Blanchett helping the police find a missing woman through her gift of ESP. Her insights lead to the arrest of adulterous wife-batterer Keanu Reeves, but is he really the culprit? The strong cast, which also includes Hilary Swank, Greg Kinnear and Giovanni Ribisi, rises above the rather predictable plotting and hackneyed final reel, and there are some genuinely scary moments along the way. Although essentially by-the-numbers stuff, the lack of emphasis on digital effects is refreshing, and Reeves's ferocious turn is a real eye-opener.
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Engaging hokum in the Deep Southern Gothic style, given a modicum of credibility by the strength of Cate Blanchett's performance; despite her gift for foresight, though, most of the audience will anticipate the narrative twists long before she does.
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Most helpful member's review
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15 out of 15 people found this review helpful
A very atmospheric and moving thriller. Cate Blanchett is brilliant as a kind and gifted medium, trying to make a normal life for herself and her children, but caught up in events behond her control. With danger from the mortal world, in the person of Donnie (A Brooding and violent Keanu Reeves). And also from tormented spirits who are trying to communicate with her in terrifying visions. The tension builds and builds to a suprising and scary climax. Altogether a well acted and suspenseful drama.
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Most recent members' review
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4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Wowsers... twisty, turny and freaky!
I really enjoyed this film. Sam Raimi hits home by creating sympathy for the heroine, a fortune teller, in a town not always appreciative of her gift. Keanu gives a great performance as someone in desperate need of anger management therapy and Cate is very convincing in the lead role.
I was captivated by this small town, supernatural murder mystery tale from start to finish. Well worth a look if you enjoy whodunnits! -
News and features
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A Simple Plan on the small screen this week
- 28 Nov 2006
Among the films offered by terrestrial TV channels this week is A Simple Plan, a noir-style thriller from director Sam Raimi. Showing on BBC One on Tuesday night, A Simple Plan tells the story of a downed plane, lots of cash and three family members who believe that finders should definitely be keepers. But of course, it's not that easy. And Raimi at the helm ensures a tense and gripping story, similar to that of his later effort The Gift, which stars Cate Blanchett and Katie Holmes as... Read more
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The Gift
Annie Wilson (Cate Blanchett) is a young widow living in Brixton, Georgia, who does psychic readings. She has a power that allows her to see things her neighbors don't see, and she talks about the things that they try to keep quiet. She eventually stirs up trouble by advising Valerie Barksdale (...
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