Those who view The Gift had best be prepared to lose any of their preconceptions, because this is a taut, chilling piece of work with not a whisper of the elements either Raimi or Thornton usually represent.
Cate Blanchett is Annie Wilson, a young widow supporting her three sons by doing card readings in a small Southern factory town. She is part fortuneteller, part psychologist, using her very real psychic talent as a tool as she tries to help her clients.
One of those clients is Valerie Barksdale (Hilary Swank), the abused wife of a savage redneck named Donnie (Keanu Reeves). Donnie Barksdale takes exception to his wife's "counseling sessions" and threatens Annie--and her children--with bodily harm if they continue.
Annie's eldest is having problems at school, which necessitates frequent conferences with Principal Wayne Collins (Greg Kinnear). Collins is engaged to Jessica King (Katie Holmes), the promiscuous daughter of the local corporate tycoon, so that Annie's obvious attraction to him must go unresolved.
Then Jessica goes missing, and her father (Chelcie Ross) pleads with Annie to help. The card-reading session is a failure, but almost immediately Annie begins having visions that lead her to a pond on Donnie Barksdale's property--and Jessica's body. Donnie is convicted of the murder, but despite her terror of him Annie is convinced he is innocent and is compelled by her own innate integrity to prove it.
As should be obvious from the high-powered cast list, this is an actor-lover's smorgasbord. As Annie, Blancett is superb, a shy but determined woman whose only purpose is to provide for and protect her family and friends using the only real skill she has--her ESP. When it seems that gift has caused more tragedy than good, she accepts her culpability without wallowing in it. Instead, she sets out to make things right. Blanchett gives her just the right blend of common sense, honesty and naivete.
As the gentle, understanding Wayne Collins, Greg Kinnear also pulls off an excellent performance. That his seeming virtues are actually only a reflection of his weakness of character becomes evident by tiny increments as the plot develops.
Go To Page: 1 2
