Rav Reviews The Gift: Hey guys, Rav here, this is my first Butt-Numb-A-thon report of many more to come. I am going to start with reviewing the new stuff separately first then I will write up a little something on all the happenings at BNAT. First I am going to start off with “The Gift” below, until then I am sure some of our other “better” writers (Like Massawyrm and Nordling) will have some nice BNAT reports coming in. I need to crank out this stuff quick before my memory fades anymore. And on to the Review The Gift 80% moron free Starring: Cate Blanchett, Katie Holmes, Greg Kinnear, Keanu Reeves, Hilary Swank and Giovanni Ribisi Directed by Sam Raimi Written by Tom Epperson and Billy Bob Thornton January 19th, 2001 The Plot: Set in the 50’s-60’s no real spoilers The Gift follows Annie Wilson (Blanchett) a tarot card reader in a very small town. Annie’s job is seen in many different ways throughout the town some see her as the devil others see her as a lifesaver. One day a prominent woman (Holmes) goes missing, and Annie receives a vision of where she is and somewhat of what happened to her. From here, “The Gift” turns into an interesting character mystery that will not disappoint seekers of intelligent cinema. The Acting: “The Gift” features many break-through performances. One of the best performances in the film was actually that of Keanu Reeves (YES KEANU ACTUALLY CAN ACT) he plays a freaky red-neck abusive husband good enough to officially pardon him from his “Bill & Ted” past. Another breakthrough role in the gift was delivered from Katie Holmes, she plays a much more adult role than she is used to, complete with all the nudity an “adult” role brings with it. I have a feeling that is a reason why this film will do well among males. Another great actor in the gift is Giovanni Ribisi, this guy is one of my favorite character actors and damn he sure did become that psycho simple car mechanic Buddy. There are so many great performances its hard to name them all, we get to see Hilary Swank as a woman (WOOHOO), Greg Kinnear as a teacher (well he does great), and Cate Blanchett as a frustrated psychic (this is the same woman that became Elizabeth in Elizabeth, she does not disappoint in “The Gift”) My Last thoughts on the film: This is kind of a departure from Raimi’s past works instead of being one of his trademark horror-comedies it’s a complete supernatural-eerie-mystery. The Gift to me really is what I wanted What Lies Beneath to be so much but failed. See the gift it really is an intelligent mystery that most will enjoy. Link to Review

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