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 endanger 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.
Theatrical release: January 19, 2001.
The film was shot on location in Savannah, Springfield, and Thunderbolt, Georgia.
The character of Annie Wilson is loosely based on screenwriter Thornton's own mother.
Cate Blanchett visited five psychics as research for the role.
Executive producer Rob Tapert got his start producing Raimi's first film, THE EVIL DEAD (1982). He is also an executive producer, with Raimi, of the popular syndicated TV series, XENA, WARRIOR PRINCESS, and is married to the show's star, actress Lucy Lawless.
Actor Gary Cole (David Duncan) also starred on the TV series AMERICAN GOTHIC, which was executive produced by Raimi.
Editor Bob Murawski began his film career as an assistant editor on Raimi's DARKMAN (1990).
A stunt double was used in the scene where Jessica King's body is pulled from the water.
Excerpt: "What's the matter? You see somethin' bad?"--the doomed Jessica King (Katie Holmes) skeptically questions a stricken Annie (Cate Blanchett) about her vision.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Widescreen Anamorphic
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Surround - English
Dolby Surround - French
Additional Release Material:
Trailer - 1. Original Theatrical
Music Video - 1. Neko Case & Her Boyfriends - FURNACE ROOM LULLABY
Interviews - 1. Cast & Crew
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
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Review 1:
"...[Like A SIMPLE PLAN, director Sam Raimi's film is] an absorbing portrayal of a serious crime committed in a small town..."
Source: USA Today
p.4D 12/20/2000
Review 2:
"...[Ms. Blanchett's] spectral intensity dominates THE GIFT....Mr. Reeves [gives] his best bad-guy performance to date....Mr. Raimi has not forgotten the tricks of his gory erstwhile trade..."
Source: New York Times
p.E18 01/19/2001
Review 3:
"...Reeves brings off a dashing piece of physical sleight-of-hand....[The] film is elegant, solidly played and frequently gripping..."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.51 03/01/2001
Review 4:
"...The movie is ingenious in its plotting, colorful in its characters, taut in its direction and fortunate in possessing Cate Blanchett..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.29 01/19/2001
Review 5:
"...[A] deeply spooky gothic shocker..."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.50 07/20/2001
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