Movie Preview

The Gift (2000)

Details Release Date: Jan 19, 2001; Limited Release: Dec 15, 2000; Rated: R; Length: 112 Minutes; Genre: Mystery and Thriller; With: Cate Blanchett, Greg Kinnear, Keanu Reeves and Hilary Swank; Distributor: Paramount Classics

While the movie version of ''Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil'' failed to capture the wee hours menace of Savannah, Ga., we've got higher hopes for this small whodunit. The Southern gothic locale is ''like the eighth character in the movie,'' says Kinnear. ''There's a haunted vibe and unusual spirit to the town that we tried to use in the film.'' Fitting, since the premise of the estimated $10 million movie is such a creepy one.

Blanchett plays a recently widowed mother whose paranormal gift reveals the secrets of some of her neighbors. One of them is a tormented wife (Swank) whom she advises to leave her bullying husband (Reeves). Another is an elementary school principal (Kinnear) whose young fiancée (Katie Holmes) has vanished. The film marks Swank's first movie since winning the Best Actress Oscar for ''Boys Don't Cry.'' ''She certainly copped an immediate attitude,'' jokes Kinnear. ''I think she'd finished shooting by the time she won. Either that, or she just decided not to return to Savannah.'' GOOD SIGN Having made ''A Simple Plan,'' director Raimi is certainly comfortable with sophisticated, spooky material. THEN AGAIN Anyone see his last movie, ''For Love of the Game''? Now THAT was frightening.

Originally posted Aug 11, 2000
You Might Also Like

Add your comment

The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk * indicates a required field.

500 characters remaining
Advertisement