An interesting way to make a living . . .
. . . it's as they always say, if you've got it use it.
And it is no different for Annie Wilson (
Cate Blanchett) the psychic reader in a small Southern town who does readings to provide for her three young boys. Not only does she do the readings but she really seems to be the town's lone psychologist as well, listening to anybody's problems and trying to help the best way she knows how.
She aides a victim of domestic violence, Valerie Barksdale (
Hilary Swank) whose husband, Donnie (
Keanu Reeves) is not only a wife beater but a general red-necked pile of dog turd. It seems he gets off on being the boss of everyone including trying to bully Annie into not seeing his wife. Annie also tends to the problems of Buddy Cole (
Giovanni Ribisi) who is kind of a town weirdo but is very sweet. It's a shame she can't seem to help him before he finds out the secret of the "blue diamond" on his own.
But the readings and visions that bring her the most trouble are the ones in connection with a missing girl in town, Jessica King (
Katie Holmes) a spoiled little rich girl who has a few skeletons in her own closet. Jessica was slated to marry Wayne Collins (
Greg Kinnear), the town's school principal and he and her father, Kenneth King (
Chelcie Ross) come to Annie thinking she may be able to aid in the search.
As Annie's visions begin to intensify she begins to see the full picture of what happened to Jessica, but is it worth her own safety to find the truth when she also sees bad things happening to herself? You'll just have to watch
The Gift to find out for yourself . . .
I will say this, the performances in this film were all pretty much very well done. Although I did think that Holmes' performance may have been just an eensy weensy bit over the top, she did make for a very believable and charming little slut. I've read online that a lot of people thought that this film was demeaning to women but I have to say that I didn't get that sense. If anything I thought that Blanchett's performance showed a real sense of empowerment. In the face of Donnie Barksdale she stood right up to him regardless of how many times he tried to knock her down.
All in all
The Gift was a good flick. Sam Raimi did an excellent job in the directing department and I have to give props to Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson for the writing. I did not know that Billy Bob actually had a real live brain in that womanizing little head of his. Bravo Billy Bob. . .
The Gift Movie Cast and Credits
Directed by
Sam Raimi
Writing credits (WGA)
Billy Bob Thornton and
Tom Epperson
Cast (in credits order)
Cate Blanchett .... Annabelle 'Annie' Wilson
Giovanni Ribisi .... Buddy Cole
Keanu Reeves .... Donnie Barksdale
Katie Holmes .... Jessica King
Greg Kinnear .... Wayne Collins
Hilary Swank .... Valerie Barksdale
Michael Jeter .... Gerald Weems
Kim Dickens .... Linda
Gary Cole .... David Duncan
Rosemary Harris .... Annie's Granny
J.K. Simmons .... Sheriff Pearl Johnson
Chelcie Ross .... Kenneth King
John Beasley .... Albert Hawkins
Lynnsee Provence .... Mike Wilson
Hunter McGilvray .... Miller Wilson
Nathan Lee Lewis .... Cornelius (as Nathan Lewis)
Benjamin Peacock .... Tommy
Clay James .... Stanley
David Brannen .... Ben Wilson
Russ Comegys .... Ben Sr. (as Russell Durham Comegys)
Janell McLeod .... Mrs. Francis
Robby Preddy .... Lady #2
Lucky Lawrence .... Member of The Souvenirs Band/Handsome Man at Bar
Mo .... Member of The Souvenirs Band
Boots Kutz .... Member of The Souvenirs Band
Buck Edwards .... Member of The Souvenirs Band
D.J. Pawlak .... Member of The Souvenirs Band
Kipp Chambers .... Boy at Dance
Dallas Johnson .... Dallas
Stuart Greer .... Officer Huggins
Jeff Bragg .... Jed Barksdale
Danny Elfman .... Tommy Lee Ballard
S.D. Stephens .... Deputy on Shore
Samuel E. Parlin Jr. .... Deputy in Boat
Ed Reddick .... Judge
Rebecca Koon .... Buddy's Mother
Erik Cord .... Buddy's Father
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Cameron Beach .... Enforcer for the Barksdales (uncredited)
Sam Edens .... Member of Barksdale Clan (uncredited)
Ray Wineteer .... Juror (uncredited)
Yvetta Young .... Family Friend (uncredited)
More Movie Reviews of The Gift
Review of The Gift from The Flipside Movie EmporiumThe Gift Movie Review at FeoAmante Horror Homepage
