Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!
Review: Much better than Sam Raimi's last film, A Simple Plan.
The screenplay is very good; the acting is brilliant; the camerawork is beautiful.
I saw this movie twice, two days in a row because I was so taken by it. I've never done that before. The srcreenplay is intelligent and the acting. I just cannot express how grateful I was, in this contemporary world so full of dull, amateurish "stars", to see a film with such raidiant acting. Everyone is perfect. The story is a thriller, but very nuanced and character driven, so that it does not come across as one of those boiler-plate so-called thrillers that pollute the silver screen so often these days. This film is mature and will appeal to people over the age of 12, unlike most thrillers.
It concerns a woman with psychic abilities who becomes involved, without really wanting to, with helping to solve a murder. It takes place in the south. I don't want to say more about the plot because I don't want to give anything away.
I know. I know. A movie about a "psychic" solving a murder. It SOUNDS stupid. I would agree. It really does. You can count me out of ANY film about psychics, etc. They bore me. Who cares? Right.
Wrong. In this film the psychic abilities are downplayed so much, and treated as something so normal and pedestrian, that it works very well. Cate Blanchett, who in this film acts better than almost anyone I've ever seen, pulls it off without a hitch.
It doesn't FEEL like a movie about psychic abilities and, really, it's not. It's about people.
So if you'd like to see Cate Blanchett act up a storm (MUCH better than she did in Elizabeth, a movie which I thought was idiotic), and if you'd like to see her surrounded by people who act so well they make the top box office stars of today such as Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer look like the overdressed Barbie & Ken dolls they really are, see this film. You WILL NOT be disappointed. See it if only as a reminder of what acting CAN be.
It is, without a doubt, SAM RAIMI's very best film to date.
Rating: 
Summary: Raimi Delivers On His Promise
Review: In a small town deep in the South, a single mother endowed with a special ability becomes involved with the disappearance of a young woman and has a brush with the supernatural, in 'The Gift,' directed by Sam Raimi. Cate Blanchett stars as Annie Wilson, a young widow attempting to raise her three kids and provide a decent life for her family, scraping out a living on Social Security since the tragic death of her husband in a work related accident the previous year. She supplements her meager income by doing 'readings' for the local townsfolk, accepting their donations for the insights she offers them into their own lives. Annie has a 'gift,' the ability to see certain things in the cards that enables her to advise her clients about personal issues. It's something she can't explain; she knows only that it's inherited (which she learned from her grandmother), and that it's real. And though it's helped her maintain her home, she soon finds that it doesn't always make for the most pleasant of situations, as when she must advise a young woman, Valerie Barksdale (Hilary Swank), on how to cope with her abusive husband, Donnie (Keanu Reeves), or attempt to help a troubled young man, Buddy Cole (Giovanni Ribisi) come to terms with some sensitive aspects of his life. Then, when a client comes to her to ask for help when his daughter disappears, not only does it take her to the dark side of the human experience, she discovers that certain individuals, including local sheriff Pearl Johnson (J.K. Simmons) do not believe that her 'gift' is real. Stylistically crafted and delivered, Raimi's film will keep you engrossed and on the edge of your seat until the very end. He successfully blends reality with just a touch of the supernatural that makes for riveting suspense while keeping it within the realm of believability. The relationship played out between Donnie and Valerie is anything but unique-- you've seen this before, many times in many films-- but within the context of this story it's fresh and it works. The doubtful sheriff and the cynical, jaded defense attorney, Gerald Weems (Michael Jeter), are fairly stereotypical, but that can be easily overlooked in light of the overall story and especially due to the credibility of the Annie character, which is well developed and never presented as anything beyond what can be readily accepted as true to life. As the central character, Annie anchors the film and enables the circumstances in which she is involved to be perceived as real; it's the strength of the film, and it's what makes it all work so well. What also makes it work is the strong performance by Cate Blanchett, who makes Annie so real and accessible, displaying her 'gift' with restraint and avoiding the possible pitfall of taking it too far over the edge, which could easily have made it suspect. Instead, she brings a depth to the character that draws you into her world and allows you to empathize with her, which would have been impossible had she invested Annie with even a touch of the charlatan. With consummate skill, Blanchett creates a well rounded character which demonstrates that as an actor, she definitely has a very real 'gift' of her own. Ribisi also does a memorable turn as Buddy, with a striking performance in which he creates some disturbing moments that are almost painful to watch; his is a character study of a soul in distress, seeking solace and resolution, and even as he attempts to sort out his life, you are able to sympathize with his plight as you share Buddy's experiences. And it's through Buddy (as well as Annie, of course), that the audience is able to make that necessary and very real connection with the film. With films like 'Saving Private Ryan' and now this one, Ribisi is on his way to establishing himself as one of the premiere character actors in the business today. Playing somewhat against type, Reeves proves that he can be a good 'bad' guy, giving possibly one of his best performances ever as Donnie. He very credibly conveys that sense of explosiveness lying just beneath the surface that makes his character menacing and dark, which in turn makes Donnie psychologically as well as physically threatening. It's a good job by Reeves, who deserves credit for taking on a role that is so disagreeable and insensitive. The supporting cast includes Greg Kinnear (Wayne), Katie Holmes (Jessica), Kim Dickens (Linda), Gary Cole (David) and Rosemary Harris (Annie's Granny). A taut thriller that is emotionally involving, 'The Gift' delivers what it promises early on, which is exceptional, as many films of this nature often fail to actually follow through after a tremendous opening act. Rest assured, this one does and has it all; suspense, credibility and some memorable moments, all courtesy of Raimi, a good story and a superb cast. And that's the magic of the movies.
Rating: 
Summary: Swampthing...
Review: What could and should have been an excellent movie was ruined by the playhouse acting of Cate Blanchett in the role of a small town psychic who through her own imcompetence gets embroiled in a town murder. It could be that the fault lies with the director for surely Blanchett could not have devised such a goofy take on this character by herself. They took what should have been a pleasant rural quirky character and instead gave us some Shakespearian tortured card-reading soul. This role shows that there are not many tools at all in the Blanchett acting bag and that it would be best if she stuck with historical pieces. At least then one assumes her suffering will be in a context that will be appropriate. From the town crazy played by Keanu Reeves to the town's battered wife (Hilary Swank), from the location, to the storyline this movie had the ingredients. Unfortunately it just doesn't work. Two stars for the location. Even in a terribly acted and constructed movie the south remains stunning.
Rating:
Summary: Good! worth watching!
Review: This movie has a good story line and well directed.
Acting is good, especially, Keanu Reeves acts well and makes this movie good.
This is not a masterpiece but you can enjoy much.
I would like to recommend this to you.
Thank you.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Entertaining Thriller
Review: This movie has been ably reviewed by many others and I agree that it is a bit predictable and not that scary, but I found myself surprised at how much I enjoyed it. A lot of the credit must go to Cate Blanchett, who really is a terrific actress and hits this character dead on; however, the entire cast is excellent, without exception (and I do include Keanu Reeves, a much too maligned actor). The atmosphere in this film reminded me somewhat of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", another off-beat but engrossing mystery. All in all, I found this to be much more intriguing and absorbing than I had expected even if not academy-award quality.
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: I loved it very scary a liitle bit gross but the whole cast kept you thinking. I would buy it no problem.
Rating:
Summary: Yes, it was a good movie.
Review: Yes, it was a good movie. Yes I love Sam Raimi and his old car that's been in every one of his films since The Evil Dead....
Gripping movie. I'm very proud of Sam Raimi. he has truly earned his place in Hollywood. I'm looking foward to Spiderman. And kudos to Katie Holmes, a good, young, beautiful actress.
Rating:
Summary: Ho Hum
Review: I agree with the first reviewer the scene with the fiddler in the swamp was probably the best scene in it. Oh and also every scene with Katie Holmes meow!
Rating:
Summary: It's a real gift if you have trouble sleeping
Review: Advertised as a paranormal murder mystery "The Gift" fails at forming any type of suspense with a shockingly predictable story. Cate Blanchett, so wonderful in Elizabeth, cannot save this awful movie. If you are a Katie Holmes fan, you may want to rent this movie just to see her topless (it's near the end). If you are a particular fan of any of the other actors, it might be worth your while, but the painfully slow and predictable storyline will likely put you to sleep.
Rating:
Summary: Good Movie
Review: The Gift was a pretty good movie. Overall, It reminded me a lot of What Lies Beneath, and is equally as good as that film. There is plenty of suspense and drama to keep you entertained. Cate Blanchett is wonderful as the country psychic. Keanu Reeves is excellent. This is one of his best roles that he has played in a long time. Bottomline....If you enjoyed What Lies Beneath...check out the Gift....It is worth checking out!!
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