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The Gift (2000) – Arrow Blu Ray Review


Director Sam Raimi made this taunt psychological thriller in 2000 which stars Cate Blanchett, Keanu Reeves, Katie Holmes and Greg Kinnear which is now being released from a new 4K master onto UHD and Blu-ray by Arrow.

In rural Georgia, recently widowed psychic Annie Wilson (Cate Blanchett) works as a tarot reader to support her young family. When she is introduced to her son’s school principal (Greg Kinnear) and his fiancée (Katie Holmes), Annie has a grisly premonition of things yet to come.

After her violent vision comes true, all eyes turn to Annie, leaving her with no choice but to use her clairvoyant abilities to find the culprit herself. Could it be the abusive husband (Keanu Reeves) of one of Annie’s regular clients (Hilary Swank)? Or the nervy mechanic (Giovanni Ribisi) whose yearning for friendship masks an uncontrollable rage?

Nothing is clear when watching this excellent mystery which although a bit more restrained than usual has all the hallmarks of the director.

Beautifully shot this has a superb cast, Keanu Reeves especially is cast against type, and builds to a surprise ending which is shocking as well as satisfying.

Being a Sam Raimi film there are a few shocking and jumpy moments but the tension builds nicely after a court case ends and Annie just knows that the person found guilty is not the one responsible for the hideous crime.

It’s written by Billy Bob Thornton, based on the psychic experiences of Thornton’s mother and while it is one of Raimi’s lesser known films, and it isn’t one of his most liked films either, I personally found it to be an expertly crafted mystery drama.

The new 4K remaster is excellent with good contrast and a very clean picture. Audio has a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround track which works well adding to the depth of the sound. Extras are –

Brand new audio commentary by critics Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Josh Nelson

Brand new audio commentary by critic Meagan Navarro

Isolated music and effects track

Haunting Visions, a newly filmed interview with actor Chelcie Ross

Savage Waters, a newly filmed interview with editors Bob Murawski and Arthur Coburn

Southern Gothic, a newly filmed interview with composer Christopher Young

Four archive featurettes: The Gift: A Look InsideThe Making of The GiftThe Cast on Sam Raimi and Sam Raimi on The Cast

Promotional interviews with Sam Raimi, Cate Blanchett, Keanu Reeves and Giovanni Ribisi

Footage from the film’s world premiere

A music video for Furnace Room Lullaby by Neko Case

Theatrical trailer, TV spots and radio spots

Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Thinh Dinh

Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Bilge Ebiri, original production notes and an excerpt from the book The Unseen Force: The Films of Sam Raimi by John Kenneth Muir

 

A good solid supernatural thriller with great direction and acting.

FILM – 8 PICTURE – 8.5 AUDIO – 8 EXTRAS – 8

CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE BLU RAY OR UHD

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