Gift, The
Some gifts come with a cost.
The frightening beauty of the dank, dense thicket of the woods in a Southern
town where the trees drink from the chillingly still, yet un-resting
waters of
the pond, create such images of beauty and fear that it boggles the mind.
From the creative talents of director Sam Raimi and the accomplished writing
of Billy Bob Thornton, together bring a thrillingly horrific story of
supernaturalism, murder, and the human soul.
Annie Wilson (Cate Blanchett) a widowed mother of three young boys finds
herself not only caring for her children, but taking on the weight of the
world
with her "gift" of seeing into the future events. She sees what will take place
for
her clients who come to visit her, and who seek out answers to their questions.
Annie's calling has many troubled lives coming to see her all looking for a
friendly voice to help calm down their shattering nerves. Buddy Cole (Giovanni Ribisi) whose mental illness causes him to lash out
violently and have episodes of hallucinations, is one of her clients.
Annie lately has been troubled by Valerie Barksdale (Hillary Swank),
the battered wife of Donnie (Keanue Reeves) whose violent streak and threats
don't sit well with Annie.
Annie also becomes more acquainted with her older son's Principal Wayne
Collins (Greg Kinnear), when she gets word that her son continues to have
fights at
school due to the recent passing of his father.
But the most distressing, disturbing, and frightening life altering event
showing up in Annie's world, is the visions and closely felt presence of a
missing
woman, Jessica King (Katie Holmes) the daughter of the wealthiest man in
town, and the woman who is engaged to Wayne.
The cast deserves a standing ovation award if there was to be one. This is
one of the best cast performances I've seen. Each performance was
woven
with moments of star shining captivating performances and tension
filled highlights of supreme acting accomplishments.
I found Keanue Reeves to be acting exceptionally well , with intensely driven
professionalism and his emotional connection to his character was
dangerously
frightening to watch!
Giovanni Ribisi was riveting and the levels in which his mind and body took
hold of and expressed himself through, was executed with such profound
enlightenment and madness, it was sad, scary, and beautiful!
The music is a collection of great musicians and singers which include;
Willie Nelson, Waylan Jennings,and Loretta Lynn. The song "Furnace Room Lullaby"
performed by Neko Case was a stunning mixture of beauty and haunted sounding
melodies and range, reflecting a trance like effect ,which was just so
soothing,
eloquent, and nightmarish all at the same time. The score by composer
Christopher
Young was astonishing, moving and breathed of the joy and fear in which "The
Gift" embodies.
I melted into this story, and found it so intriguing on a visual and
emotional level that it consumed me. It's a spooky, disturbing, mystery
that brings a
cold feeling on the back of your neck.
Written by: Lynda Dale MacLean
Reviewers Rating: 8
Reader's Rating: 8.00
Reader's Votes: 2
Added: 9-Jun-2003
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