Hey folks, Harry here with a pair of costumed movie spooks that fanagled their way into the latest screening of THE GIFT... Sam Raimi's last film before SPIDER-MAN. I only want to make a note of that, because... I get the idea that this is his SUGARLAND EXPRESS... His last small little film before going on to make JAWS... SPIDER-MAN is going to be huge... and it'll be interesting to see and compare the types of films Raimi will make on either side of it. Can he make the bazillion dollar hit and just return to making small films and big films... or will the toys be irresistable? I don't know... I do know I want to see this movie now. Here's our scoopers...
Hey, hey, hey Harry!
Seems that Sam Raimi and I are almost inadvertently crossing paths lately. So much so, that I almost didn’t see him being shielded from my view by Paramount head, Sherry Lansing. And it’s here that I heard Santa had a little something waiting for me on the lot. And lo and behold, what did he have!
Looks like Christmas came a little early for me this year. And since I’m not one that can wait to open my Christmas presents, it’s no surprise that I just had to unwrap the wrapping off Sam Raimi's “THE GIFT” a little early.
It’s always a bit interesting when you read an early draft of a screenplay and then a few months later finally see the nearly finished product on screen before you.
So it’s also nearly impossible to put aside your visual interpretation to that of the director’s when you’ve read the script ahead of time. Sometimes it’s a blessing, sometimes it’s a curse, but in the case of “THE GIFT”, it’s definitely a blessing.
And I’ll explain as some of you may remember have read my early script review, knowing that I was clearly not particularly fond of the second half of the screenplay, but nevertheless always remained hopeful in Raimi’s talents.
Raimi, once again, has crafted an intricate story, not unlike that of “A SIMPLE PLAN” that relies on little to no special effects, heavy gore or action sequences. This is a very small story, wrapped around an eclectic cast of characters to help bring about this southern gothic murder-mystery whodunit tale with a twist.
And being a murder-mystery, you can expect a fair dose of sex, violence, and nudity (and yes, courtesy of Katie Holmes) to fuel the fire that ignites the story.
It’s such a murder that the local authorities call upon the aid of ANNIE (Cate Blanchett) in helping solving the case, with her unique “gift” of psychic perception.
That’s basically the plot in a nutshell, if you want further details check my review of script where spoilers are somewhat prevalent. The script remains pretty faithful to what I read back then with only a few minor changes here and there.
The film clocks in just under 2 hours, which for some might feel a tad too long, but for a story that details and richly paints each character, the build up is a necessary one and well-paced. Which eventually leads to revealing the motives, suspects and circumstances to which each character may or may not be involved with the murder.
The acting in this ensemble is top notch, with most notable performances coming from the wonderful Cate Blanchett as the town psychic whose abilities are often accurate if somewhat flawed at times, who has to face coming to grips with her “gift” and the lives she touches in using it.
One of those lives is that of the town’s emotionally disturbed mechanic BUDDY, played by Giovanni Ribisi, who is actually really good here (yeah Harry, he is - believe it or not).
And lastly, as the wife beater DONNIE, Keanu Reeves shows a real nasty and creepy mean streak here.
Rounding out the cast is Hillary Swank as VALYRIE, one of Annie’s regular clients, who lives in constant fear of her wife-beating husband Donnie as is physically and emotionally unable to escape.
Greg Kinner, as WAYNE who plays fiancee to Katie Holmes JESSICA, a woman whose promiscuous relations soon violently catch up to her, leaving Wayne a somewhat shattered, shell of a man.
All who give worthy performances that really help bring out the story through the characters rather than vice-versa.
And each character is flawed in such a way that the revelation of the killer is not obviously suspect. Which is always nice in a picture such as this.
The gothic southern backdrop adds much haunting beauty and underlying menace for Raimi to use as a canvas to paint on and he takes nice advantage of it.
And here, Raimi is obviously well versed in directing and fleshing out characters in such a film as this, that in his future projects I’m sure he’ll do just the same.
Only thing really missing from this workprint is the final score, which according to the IMDB is still set to be done by Danny Elfman (which also notes as having done an on-screen cameo in the film too, although I did not see it).
All in all this is one of those films that should open limited in December in time for Oscar consideration then open wider upon word of mouth. Again, this is not a cash cow of a film, but a small and well executed one in the same manner, as “A SIMPLE PLAN” was both small and well executed.
Until then…
Oh BTW Sam, I hear your looking for a special effects man for your next “little” picture.
I may just know the right person for the right job. Feel free to drop me a line.
-Mysterio
Mail will be delivered to my rear slot
From the south seas comes... AGUAMAN riding upon his giant seahorsey! Giddiup and lay it out my friend...
Harry and crew:
AGUAMAN here, new to the waters of reviewing, but recently swimming in test screenings. Here's one for THE GIFT. Hope you can use it.
I just saw a screening of THE GIFT, the new film from, "Mr. Spiderman," Sam Raimi.
It's the story of Annie Wilson played by Cate Blanchett. Annie is a southern woman with psychic abilities, who is drawn in to help solve the murder of the local southern bell, played by Katie Holmes.
There are three suspects: The innocent school teacher fiancé, played by Greg Kinnear; the cheating abusive husband, played by Keanu Reeves; the dim-witted mechanic, played by Giovanni Ribisi, and the abused wife played by Hillary Swank. The film follows Annie as her "GIFT" gives her different clues about the case.
This is definatly a post-Sixth-Sense film. I can picture the studio executive's faces when THE SIXTH SENSE hit 100million and they had this script. "GREEN LIGHT! GREEN LIGHT! Get another kilo of coke, we got a winner!" So the concept isn't all that original and it uses a cookie cutter "shocker ending," but even with these flaws, I enjoyed this film.
First off, the acting is awesome. Most characters come alive. I'm not a big fan of Keanu Reeves, but I was wickedly impressed with his work here. He sports a beard and a believable southern accent(not like in THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE) as suspect number one. His energy is truly evil and scary. I have never been fully taken out of his own personality, but here he fully transforms.
Ribisi also loses himself in his role. The subplot involving his father's abuse is the hardest and most shocking parts of the film. He has a show down with Reeves that's breathtaking.
Cate Blanchett holds the entire film together. She's a widow, she's a mother, she's vunerable, she's strong, she's a mom, and she's a class act. In other hands this part could have been cheesy and overplayed. Annie falls into a lot of conventional "scary movie traps," but Kate manages to keep them real.
Kinnear and Swank do fine. Katie Holmes is the only weak link. She overplays her part in a big way, but she does bare her breasts and they are nice...very nice. Almost nice enough to make up for the stagy performance...but not quite.
Billy Bob Thorton penned the script. He has a love for the down home country folk and portrays them well, but in the end he tries too hard for the shocker ending. I don't want to give it away, but the resolution, as my grandpa used to say...really got my goat:) . Had it been more logical...who knows. I wrote my own ending. Maybe they'll use it, I put it on the little comment card. "GET SWANK IN FOR A RESHOOT!, that would be cool. But, as is, the ending went through the roof and it doesn't work.
The GIFT moves along at a good pace. The backwoods settings are eerie and the score has a hitchcock-hillbilly theme. The cinematography is cool; Lot's of spooky handheld stuff and errie visions ala, THE SIXTH SENSE...ala...THE SHINING.
So THE GIFT is no SIMPLE PLAN and it's not very original, but it's scarier than "WHAT LIES BENEATH", more of a mystery than "STIR OF ECHOES" and for the most part, an entertaining thriller.
That's about it. I recently saw THE CAVEMAN'S VALENTINE and PAY IT FORWARD. If you're interested I could review those films as well.
AGUAMAN
