The Gift (2000) – Film Review

Director: Sam Raimi
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Giovanni Ribisi, Keanu Reeves
Certificate: 15

By Sarah Morgan

‘Write what you know’, or so the old adage goes. Billy Bob Thornton claims he did just that while penning The Gift with his long-time collaborator Tom Epperson.

That’s because the plot was apparently inspired by the experiences of Thornton’s own mother, a self-proclaimed psychic from small-town Arkansas. Even if you don’t believe in such things, it shouldn’t spoil your enjoyment of what is a genuinely good, old-fashioned, creepy mystery-thriller.

It helps that the lead role of Annie Wilson is played by Cate Blanchett, one of the finest actors around today. Annie is a recently widowed mother of three young sons struggling to make ends meet in a backwoods community. She ekes out a living by giving readings to various locals that help them make tough decisions – although not all of them take her well-intentioned advice.

One who certainly doesn’t is Valerie Barksdale, who knows she should heed Annie’s words about leaving her abusive husband Donnie, but can’t seem to do so. Donnie, enraged at what he regards as Annie’s interference in his marriage, begins threatening Annie and her boys.

“Wonderful cast”

Meanwhile, the grieving mother strikes up a friendship with Wayne Collins, the headmaster at a local school. He’s engaged to be married to local beauty Jessica, who’s been seeing other people behind his back, including Donnie. So when Jessica is found dead on his land, the police having been led there by one of Annie’s visions, Donnie becomes the prime suspect in her murder.

But is the case really as straightforward as that?

Well, The Gift would be a very short and dull film if it was. And although the real killer is very guessable early on, the manner in which they are exposed is not, with the twist being one of the tale’s most impressive points.

Although Blanchett is undoubtedly the star of the show, she’s more than ably supported by a wonderful cast, including Giovanni Ribisi as Buddy, a clearly troubled young man who relies on Annie for comfort and guidance.

“Charming and vulnerable”

Greg Kinnear is charming and vulnerable as Wayne, while Hilary Swank and Keanu Reeves are the Barksdales – yep, Keanu as a redneck villain is a sight to behold. JK Simmons pops up too as a cop who isn’t convinced by Annie’s skills, while Katie Holmes, at the time trying to prove she could more than be sweet in Dawson’s Creek (and she clearly could) plays Jessica.

Sadly, none of them are interviewed in the special features. Instead, it’s Chelcie Ross, who portrays Jessica’s father, who’s on hand to recall what it was like to be on set with such luminaries while being directed by Sam Raimi, who was clearly at the top of his game.

There are also insights into the making of the film from its editors and soundtrack composer, as well as various commentaries and archive documentaries. But it’s the film itself that’s the real draw – it’s a winner, whether or not you believe it’s inspired by fact.