Talent in ‘The Gifti features
ensemble cast, writers and director
By Geronimo Rodriguez
Daily Cougar Staff
With a good director, a well-done story
line and an all-star cast, The Gift should be considered a must-see
film. And although the story may seem to get just a little thin, The
Gift meets and exceeds its expectations.
Director Sam Raimi does well with a story
full of suspense that relies heavily on actors filling out colorful and
energized characters. Raimi may not be as well-known as other directors,
but in works such as For Love of the Game and A Simple Plan,
Raimi has established his ability to entertain with simple plots.
It was not difficult for Raimi to make
The Giftis story line suspenseful or entertaining for audiences.
Screenwriters Billy Bob Thorton (Slingblade) and Tom Epperson, who have
collaborated in the past on a number of movies, created a story full of
twists and diverse material.
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Cate Blanchett and Greg Kinnear
star in director Sam Raimiis aThe Gift. Blanchett is featured in
the film as a woman with telepathic powers.
The Gift follows Annie Wilsonis
(Cate Blanchett) way of making ends meet, which is reading into peopleis
past and future. Annie is relied on by some to lead them, and is criticized
by many others who view her as a witch.
The twists in the story begin when Annieis
premonitions actually occur.
But entertainment is found throughout The
Gift as Blanchett and the rest of the filmis cast is seen delivering
great acting performances. Thorton and Eppersonis characters are more than
accommodated by a number of actors who shed their egos and allow great
material to lead them.
Blanchett, whose role in Elizabeth
earned her a Best Actress nomination at 1999is Oscars, shows why she can
be depended on to fill a filmis lead role. Greg Kinnear, who was nominated
in 1998 for the Best Supporting Actor category for his role in "As Good
As It Gets", also continues to polish his acting ability with this film.
Both Hilary Swank (Boys Donit Cry)
and Keanu Reeves (Matrix) add different material to their resume
with their roles in The Gift. And Katie Holmes seems to break out of her
innocent Dawsonis Creek shell with her pert and promiscuous ways
in the film as she eyes anything that moves.
But Giovanni Ribisiis performance in the
film as Buddy Cole, a deeply disturbed customer of Annieis, lends the film
another one of his selfless performances. Ribisiis acting in the film is
similar to his performance in The Other Sister, only darker and
more extreme. If moviegoers know and enjoy Ribisiis past performances,
they will not want to miss this film.
With the cast and its performance, "The
Gift" is worth seeing. Even though the story may become a bit predictable
in some areas, The Giftis diverse characters and entertaining material
will hold the audienceis attention and keep people guessing until the end.
The Gift
*** (of five)
Rated: R
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Greg Kinnear,
Hilary Swank
Paramount Pictures
