Search - The Gift on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Nudity, Profanity, Sexual Situations Movie Release: 2000 DVD Release: 07/17/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 51 mins Studio: Paramount Total Copies: 26 Genres: Mystery, Whodunit, Supernatural Drama See Also: Gift [Circuit City Exclusive] [Checkpoint]

Supernatural horror meets character drama in this Sam Raimi-directed thriller. Set in Georgia, the film concerns a widowed mother named Annie (Cate Blanchett) who is blessed with the ability to have psychic visions. When Annie is asked to use her powers to investigate the murder of a rich society girl (Katie Holmes) who was engaged to a local high school principal (Greg Kinnear), she finds her "gift" is as destructive as it is helpful. Many of the townspeople have mixed regard for Annie's abilities, including an abusive husband (Keanu Reeves) and his brutalized wife (Hilary Swank) (the former threatens Annie and her children with taunts that she is a devil) as well as a deeply troubled auto mechanic (Giovanni Ribisi) who may hold a key to the events in question. The Georgia residents soon find themselves all suspects in the investigation, and Annie is forced to confront past demons while still trying to help solve the mystery. The Gift was co-written by Billy Bob Thornton, who appeared in another of Raimi's thrillers, A Simple Plan. ~ Jason Clark, All Movie Guide

Cate Blanchett - Annie Wilson
Giovanni Ribisi - Buddy Cole
Keanu Reeves - Donnie Barksdale
Katie Holmes - Jessica King
Greg Kinnear - Wayne Collins
Hilary Swank - Valerie Barksdale

Sam Raimi's =The Gift is a twist-filled thriller and a very nice DVD. The picture, which is 1.85:1 and anamorphic, conveys the foreboding atmosphere perfectly with strong blacks (a major portion of the film) and nicely realized, yet often muted, colors. Flesh tones are right-on also, which contrasts well with the other, darker, photographic elements. The sound, a 5.1 Dolby Digital English track, is primarily focused up front, but a few instances of surround material heighten the soundtrack, creating an unsettling effect at the right time. Also included are surround tracks in English and French, plus subtitles in English. As for extras, there are a few, but they aren't spectacular. Beyond the theatrical trailer is a featurette that runs just more than ten minutes. This short piece includes interviews with a number of cast members and the director who briefly describe working together and their experiences making the film. It's a nice addition, but doesn't amount to much more than a fluff piece. Also included is an odd song, "Furnace Room Lullaby," from Neko Case & Her Boyfriends. ~ Trent Fordham, All Movie Guide