Cate Blanchett, Keanu Reeves, Katie Holmes

A woman with extrasensory perception is asked to help find a young woman who has disappeared.

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57% liked it

16,192 ratings

Critics

56% liked it

116 critics

R, 111 min.

Directed by: Sam Raimi

Release Date: December 20, 2000

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DVD Release Date: November 6, 2001

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Stats: 1,728 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,728)


  • September 24, 2009
    Not Raimi's best but the good cast do make up for it.
  • May 26, 2009
    Sheriff Pearl Johnson: Miss Wilson, I don't believe in what you do. I'll just be straight with you. Not only that, I don't like it. But, we've got to the end of the road of our investigation... and looked under every rock there is to look under... and we'd like you to tell us wha...( read more)t you can to help us.

    A quality mystery thriller, with a bit of a supernatural element thrown in, from director Sam Raimi. Supported by a good story, Raimi makes this film effective through the use of setting up many good suspense and dramatic scenes, along with stocking this film with a great cast of character actors.

    Set in the South, Cate Blanchett stars as Annie, a widowed, single mother, looking after her three boys, following her husband's death a year prior. Annie makes money through social security and a gift that she has. Her gift lets her see elements of the future and town residents come to visit her to hear there possible future or fortune.

    Among her clients include Giovanni Ribisi as an unstable mechanic and Hilary Swank as a women constantly beaten by her hillbilly husband, played by Keanu Reeves. Reeves' character has many problems with Annie's profession and begins to make threats to her and her family.

    Donnie: She's a God damn witch! She's putting spells on every-damn-body in town!

    These elements link to the main plot, which involves the disappearance of Katie Holmes character. She plays the daughter of the rich family in town, who was engaged to the school principal, played by a very likable Greg Kinnear. Annie is asked by the town sheriff, played by J.K. Simmons, to use her gift to try and find the missing girl. This leads to Reeves' character's possible guilt, but someone else may be at fault.

    Buddy: You have to tell me, and you have to tell me now.
    Annie: I'll tell you, hun.
    Buddy: If I look into a blue diamond, and I think a negative thought, am I gonna die?
    Annie: No, you're not gonna die. You're not gonna die, Buddy.

    There are a few problems I have with this story, one mainly deals with a courtroom drama sequence that involves rival lawyers played by Gary Cole and Michael Jeter, however the quality of the performances throughout this film make everything worthwhile.

    Blanchett is very good in the lead. Kinnear, like I mentioned, makes his character quite likable. Swank's character is irritating, but necessary. Holmes isn't in the film too long, but she's perfectly acceptable. Supporting work from Simmons, Cole, and Jeter is always welcome. One of the most surprisingly good performances comes from Keanu Reeves. He plays a role against type, yet seems perfectly suited towards. He is effective, menacing, yet somewhat layered. The best performance however, comes from Giovanni Ribisi. His character just works in this movie. Its not over the top, its just right for the character he has. Ribisi has always been an actor I like seeing in various supporting roles, and he does so very well once again.

    Raimi's work here as a director is strong as well. He creates an atmospheric mystery that maintains a solid tone without dipping into camp. There are a few instances where a higher budget may have certainly benefited (it may work for Evil Dead, but not here), though these instances are forgivable.

    While towards the end, one possible reveal may seem obvious, a final twist did make me enjoy the film as a whole even more. Quality picture.

    Wayne Collins: Is there anything you can tell us?
    Annie: I can read for you. But that's about all I can do.
  • February 4, 2009
    This film has always been a favourite of mine, it?s a great supernatural thriller. Cate Blanchett (as always) gives a very strong performance, a likeable performance too from Giovani Ribisi.

    My very small annoyance was Katie Holmes (I?m not quite sure why I despise the girl s...( read more)o much?) but it?s slightly irrating to put her in the same league as the rest of the cast in this film, however her appearance really doesn?t affect the film or the plot.

    This is an intriguing story, which offers something different to the ?whodunnit? type of mystery.
  • September 24, 2008
    I like it.
  • August 6, 2008
    I like Givoanni Ribisi in this movie. His subtlety in his role is extremely captivating.
  • October 11, 2009
    Good acting, but honestly i forgot if i really, really like the story
  • September 29, 2009
    Had an excellent premise. Too bad it didn't turn out like it.
  • September 17, 2009
    Scary and creepy, but well done. Decent overall.

    52/100
  • September 12, 2009
    Cate Blanchett is excellent in her role and its surprising to see Keanu Reeves in the bad guy role for a change and he pulls it off.
  • September 1, 2009
    The cast in this are outstanding especially Ribisi and Jeter, and I loved how it explored ESP in a court of law. There's some deft touches, but the script seemed to be holding Raimi back as the horror/jumps are way too obvious - it's as though he's trying to be serious and keep t...( read more)he tone straight while deep down he wants to push it. It's a good enough whodunnit and I'm glad I've seen it, but I don't feel any inclination to ever watch it again.

Critic Reviews


January 19, 2001
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

At its best The Gift evokes some of the creepy chills of To Kill a Mockingbird. And at its heart, there's Blanchett, an actress whose instincts are unerring, and dead-on.

January 19, 2001
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Even if you've figured out where The Gift is headed, the actors keep you watching closely. full review

January 19, 2001
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The movie is ingenious in its plotting, colorful in its characters, taut in its direction and fortunate in possessing Cate Blanchett. full review

January 19, 2001
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

A rather pedestrian whodunit. full review

View more The Gift reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • mshkiki
    June 12, 2007
    One of the greatest thrillers! Giovanni Ribisi, Hiliary Swank and Cate Blanchett are outstanding oddball characters. Katie Holmes topless is unforgettable.

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