The Gift (2000)

Conventional Credible Thriller

A story about a psychic who can see things before they happen isn't too new of an idea. Having the psychic use such powers to help solve a murder mystery also really isn't any new ground. While that may be unfortunate for The Gift in the "original premises" department, what one usually can do in such a situation is present what is essentially an entertaining version of the story. Writer Billy Bob Thornton, director Sam Raimi, and their all-star cast do their best at delivering this entertainment, which turns out to be enjoyably diverting more than anything.

The Gift, set in a southern town, is about a widow named Annie Wilson (Cate Blanchett) who does "readings" for clients; that is, she uses her naturally endowed ESP and a special deck of cards to give paying guests a glimpse of their future. One such paying guest is Valerie (Hilary Swank), beaten wife of the abusive Donnie Barksdale (Keanu Reeves). When Annie's readings implore her to suggest to Valerie that she leave her husband, Donnie gets word and comes by to threaten Annie and her three very young sons. "You're a witch," he tells her, adding that she will one day burn in hell.

Not everyone in town shares that sentiment, least of all a disturbed mechanic named Buddy (Giovanni Ribisi), who has issues with how his father has treated him and confides in Annie, whom he considers his only friend. The cast is rounded out when Annie meets Wayne (Greg Kinnear), the principal of her oldest son's school. Wayne has a beautiful fiancee named Jessie (Katie Holmes), but when Annie first meets Jessie she gets a disturbing vision.

Almost needless to say, someone gets murdered. Because of Annie's loose ties with the victim, the victim's party, and the suspects, she involves herself by using her psychic abilities to piece together the murder, an all-together uneasy task, since her most helpful clues come as terrifying dreams. She offers to help the police, who are all too willing to dismiss her powers as silly hocus-pocus.

So this story sounds pretty fun, and, all-in-all, it is. Unfortunately, though, the execution really goes through the motions, and all the standard thriller tricks are used. Usually, the scariest supernatural thriller trick is the use of visions, and there are plenty of those, always enhanced by scary music and visits from the dead. The what's-behind-this-door trick is used, as well as the something-harmless-sneaks-up-on-you-and-makes-you-jump trick. There actually wasn't much suspense used; most of Annie's revelations are pretty direct and foreshadow events that occur in the near future, so that the suspense doesn't last long. The ending is conventionally unconventional. And, of course, the usual music cues tell the viewer when to get ready to be scared, and will sforzando when the audience is required be surprised.

Actually, much of the score (composed by scary movie music veteran Christopher Young) consisted of an eerie fiddle-playing, and that was charming, adding to the environment of the movie. The movie boasts a fanatastic ensemble, and they all do a fine job, but the movie belongs of course to Cate Blanchett. Her performance is pivotal to holding the movie together, and she comes through. And, save for a wilting flower, there aren't a lot of obvious and cheesy computer-enhanced special effects, and that's to be appreciated as well.

The movie kind of ends on a left turn of sorts, and also seems to leave a loose end when all is said and done. It doesn't really matter, though; this really isn't going to be one that will be occupying your thoughts the next day. Just sit back and enjoy the show, then go home. It's as simple as that.

Rating: 6/10

©Jeffrey Chen, Jan. 22, 2001

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