August 3, 2002 -- "The Gift" is a powerful mystery suspense story told by one of the best directors working in Hollywood today, Sam Raimi ("A Simple Plan"). Of course it doesn't hurt to have some great writers like Billy Bob Thornton ("Sling Blade") and Tom Epperson ("One False Move"). It also doesn't hurt to have a great cast, like Cate Blanchett of "Bandits," Giovanni Ribisi of "Saving Private Ryan," Greg Kinnear of "We Were Soldiers," Hilary Swank of "Boys Don't Cry," Keanu Reeves of "The Replacements," Katie Holmes of "The Wonder Boys" and Michael Jeter of "The Green Mile." How can you go wrong with that combination? The answer is, you can't.

Blanchett stars as a back bayou psychic reader Annie Wilson who lives way down south (the movie was filmed in Savanah and two other Georgia cities). Wilson finds herself right in the middle of a murder case when she leads investigators to the body of victim Jessica King (played Katie Holmes). The prime suspect is local redneck Donnie Barksdale (Keanu Reeves). Barksdale is a wife-beater and racist and the case against him is open and shut. The only problem is, Wilson doesn't think he committed the crime. There are no shortage of suspects, from her fiance, Wayne Collins (Greg Kinnear), to Valerie Barksdale (Hilary Swank), Donnie's jealous wife, to the district attorney himself. Jessica was a very sociable woman and liked to spread her favors around. The film's masterful misdirection keeps the murderer's identity in doubt until the end of the film.

The acting in the film is terrific, especially by Giovanni Ribisi, who plays the deeply disturbed mechanic, Buddy Cole. He is simply electric in several scenes, including an intense standoff with Donnie Barksdale. The southern accents in the film are inconsistent, at best. The best accent belongs to Kim Dickens of "Hollow Man" who plays Wilson's friend, Linda. Michael Jeter, who is a great character acter, does his usual good job in the role of Gerald Weems, Barksdale's defense lawyer.

There is excellent use of locations in the film and the atmospheric cinematography by Jamie Anderson ("Grosse Pointe Blank") is very effective. The editing by Arthur Coburn ("Spider-Man") and Bob Murawski ("Spider-Man"), along with Raimi's assured direction, keeps the story flowing smoothly. It is too bad "The Gift" was a limited-release film that Paramount never really got behind in a big way. I did not get to see it until it got out on video and I only rented it because I keep better track of the film market than most people do. If you can find it in your local video store rent it. This is one of the best films about the supernatural that has come out in recent years, along with "The Others," and "The Sixth Sense." It rates a B+.

The DVD has the usual assortment of features, except there is no commentary soundtrack. Soundtracks available are English Dolby (TM) Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0 surround as well as French Dolby Digital 2.0 surround. The picture is in a widescreen anamorphic format with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Features include a music video, "Furnace Room Lullaby," performed by Neko Case and Her Boyfriends. The theatrical trailer is also on the DVD as well as a featurette about the making of the movie, which includes clips and interviews with the cast and crew.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.