The Gift (DVD, 2001, Widescreen Collection - Sensormatic)

This movie takes place in a small town of Brixton.The main character is Annie Wilson (Cate Blanchett), who has the ability to see into the future.She is also a widow, whos huband died in an explosion, and left her with 3 boys who depend on her to take care of them.Annie tells the fortunes of many people in this small town, many who are return clients, and pay her money for her readings.
One return customer is Buddy Cole ( Giovanni Ribisi) who had an abustive father when he was younger,and always talks about the diamond.Which later in the story is sadly explained, and his past unfolds very quickly. He is now not able to control his emotions on the abusive way he was treated by his father and constantly looks to Annie for advice about his life.But when Annie's own life problems get in the way will she be able to save Buddy before its too late?Another continuous customer is Valerie Barksdale (Hilary Swank), who has a very troubled life and a abusive husband Donnie Barksdale ( Keanu Reeves).Donnie is a redneck Christian who believes that fortune telling is the works of the devil and that Annie is a witch.When Donnie finds out about his wifes meetings with Annie, he catches her at Annie's house and drags her out & then threatens Annie and her children that if she ever reads for Valerie again he will come after them!Annie's oldest son has a hard time dealing with the loss of his father & starts gets into trouble at school.When the school teacher Wayne Collins ( Greg Kinnear) has Annie meet him in his office to go over her sons behavior at school.During thir meeting Wayne's beautiful fiance Jessica King (Katie Holmes)walks in and introduces her self to Annie.Jessica recognizes Annie's name & know ability to see into the future and asks her what she see, if they will live happily ever after? Annie then sees a vision that she can't shake but doesn't tell them that.
Jessica is the daughter of a prominent Brixton businessman, Kenneth King.After a small town party Jessica goes missing.But at the party reveals that Jessica is no who she seems to be. With no leads or suspects Jessica's father seeks Annie for help. With Annie's visions they find Jessica's body.The case then goes to trial and the man gets convicted of killing her and goes to jail.Annie still has the visions of the murder of the missing girl and believes the wrong man was sent to jail.Slowly the truth starts to unravel in the dark swampy waters. Will Annie's gift reveal who the real killer is too late, and will be be the next victim because she know knows the real killers identity?You will have to watch it to find out!A great thriller movie!Annie is always trying to help the town people in this movie, but she learns that she can't always help them all.

Annie Wilson (Blanchett) has "The Gift", psychic abilities which she uses to try to help people. Of course, this means that she is drawn in to the troubles and pain of others.

Recently widowed, she is trying to be a single parent to her sons, while making her own way forward. Blanchett is stand-out, as one of the characters says, "the heart of the town", even though distrusted and rejected by the status quo.

There are some scary scenes, but like all Raimi films, what markes "The Gift" is the depth of human feeling and experience.

Directed by Sam Raimi, written by Billy-Bob Thornton, starring Cate Blanchett, and featuring Giovanni Ribisi, Hillary Swank, Katie Holmes, Gary Cole, Keanu Reeves, Greg Kinnear, J. K. Simmons, Michael Jeter...wow!

There are some really great performances here and no bad ones...in particular, Cate Blanchett, Giovanni Ribisi and Greg Kinnear. Keanu does a very different turn, and Michael Jeter in a small role is a goodbye pleasure - Jeter has since passed away.

In the end, the gift is about pain and loss, and how we can try to reach out to others, and how reaching is noble, even when it fails.

Cate Blanchett is great in this eerie murder mystery set in a small town in the deep south. She plays a poor widow who supports her three kids by giving psyhic card readings to her neighbors. The daughter (Katie Holmes) of a wealthy local businessman turns up missing and Blanchett starts seeing some very disturbing visions of the missing girl. Giovanni Ribisi is very good. You won't believe how mean and nasty Keanu Reeves is in this film. Hilary Swank and Greg Kinnear are good, as well. This film moves along pretty well and is dark and moody and at times fairly spooky. Cate Blanchett plays her role with a lot of heart and her Southern accent is very believable. I don't buy many dvds for my collection, because I don't usually like to watch movies more than once...but this one is a keeper.

Written by Billy Bob Thorton this really is a great story but watching the film makes you feel like you're watching a student film. With a cast like Cate Blanchett, Giovanni Ribisi, Keanu Reeves, Katie Holmes, Greg Kinnear, and Hilary Swank you really would expect more.

The story was told well and you can see Billy Bob's (Sling Blade fame) southern roots showing. It was photographed well and even directed pretty well by Sam Raimi but I cant seem to shake the low budget feel to the film.

The special features on the DVD were lacking. Really only one featurette about making the film and the rest was just advertisement for other movies.

I would rent this film for a good weekend thriller with a bowl of popcorn but you might want to avoid buying it since you really would not want to watch it more than a couple of times. It's one of those stories that once you know how it ends it is no longer watching again.

I learned my lesson..a true horror film that delivers what it promises..Kate Blanchett stars as a Medium who tries to help people who don't seem to appreciate her or her gift..Hilary Swank plays the abused Wife of a redneck who can fight a Woman, but not a Man, isn't that how it always is? When she attempts to help the abused Wife the abusive hubby shows up and shows what a big man he is by attacking and beating up his Wife in full view of the medium and her 3 young Kids, he then attacks the medium and threatens her Kids..she goes to the police, but they unfortunately send out his fishing buddy so nothing is done..turning her attention back to a mentally ill young Man who desperatelyt needs her help and attention..we later learn the truth behind his illness she feels she's losing her talents when he goess of his head and attacks his Father..she then meets the Man of her dreams, but he's engaged to a young bouncy brunette played by Katie Holms..when she sees a vision of the dark haired beauties corpse she ignores the signs, when the young Woman ends up dead and she leads the police to her body all hell breaks loose and the struggling medium played by Blanchett is forced to face the killer..the ending is a total surprise leaving you both stunned and saddened by the ending results..I give this film 5 out of 5 stars!! Great storyline, great cast, fantastic acting..This is one roller coaster ride of a movie that will leave you wanting more!!