The Gift (2000)
65%RT Audience Score: 55%
Awards & Nominations: 11 nominations
With a reported budget of around 10 million, The Gift is obviously a labor of love for those involved. Unfortunately, the A-list cast can’t prevent the movie from becoming a by-the-numbers whodunit with an ending that’s all but unsatisfactory
The Gift” is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get. Some critics loved it, some hated it, and some were just meh about it. But hey, at least we can all agree that Cate Blanchett is a star. And if you’re into chaotic, frightening images blinking rapidly over the widening eyes of the protagonist, then this movie is definitely for you. Just don’t expect it to be a must-see film, unless you’re into getting ripped off by traveling sideshows at the county fair.
Production Company(ies)
Kennedy Miller Productions,
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Effingham County, Georgia, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for violence, language, and sexuality/nudity
Year of Release
2001
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 50m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 19, 2001 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 17, 2001
Genre(s)
Mystery & Thriller
Keyword(s)
starring Cate Blanchett, Giovanni Ribisi, Hilary Swank, Katie Holmes, Keanu Reeves, Greg Kinnear, directed by Sam Raimi, written by Billy Bob Thornton, Tom Epperson, mystery, thriller, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Nell Minow, Peter Travers, Michael Thomson, Marjorie Baumgarten, MPAA rating R, supernatural, clairvoyance, socialite, disappeared, colorful characters, psychological thriller, celebration of human spirit, nudity, language, sexuality, violence, Tom Rosenberg, James Jacks, Rob Tapert, Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR, Flat (1.85:1), Annie Wilson, Buddy Cole, Donnie Barksdale, Jessica King, Wayne Collins, Valerie Barksdale
Worldwide gross: $44,567,606
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $75,109,272
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,157
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 8,190,760
US/Canada gross: $12,008,642
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $20,238,026
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,413
US/Canada opening weekend: $11,827
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $19,932
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,515
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $10,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $16,852,884
Production budget ranking: 1,455
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $9,075,278
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $49,181,109
ROI to date (est.): 190%
ROI ranking: 650
Giovanni Ribisi – Buddy Cole
Keanu Reeves – Donnie Barksdale
Katie Holmes – Jessica King
Greg Kinnear – Wayne Collins
Hilary Swank – Valerie Barksdale
Director – Sam Raimi
Producers – Tom Rosenberg, James Jacks, Rob Tapert
Writers – Billy Bob Thornton, Tom Epperson
Director(s)
Sam Raimi
Writer(s)
Billy Bob Thornton, Tom Epperson
Producer(s)
Tom Rosenberg, James Jacks, Rob Tapert
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
11 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (122) | Top Critics (35) | Fresh (70) | Rotten (52)
A superior horror movie for older teens.
December 28, 2010 | Rating: 4/5
Nell Minow
Common Sense Media
TOP CRITIC
June 4, 2001 | Rating: 4/5
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone
TOP CRITIC
April 16, 2001 | Rating: 3/5
Michael Thomson
BBC.com
TOP CRITIC
February 7, 2001 | Rating: 2/5
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
February 7, 2001 | Rating: 4/5
Nell Minow
Movie Mom
TOP CRITIC
There’s really just one reason to see the Southern freak show that is Sam Raimi’s The Gift, and fortunately it’s the best reason: to watch the star of the piece.
January 19, 2001
Peter Howell
Toronto Star
TOP CRITIC
Stylistically, viewers will likely recognize the patented Raimi vision: chaotic frightening images blinking rapidly over the widening eyes of the protagonist.
October 28, 2020
Tim Stevens
The Spool
The Gift is not a must-see film, but it is a film worth watching.
September 8, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
Post Elizabeth, Cate Blanchett was trying to subvert expectations and to do something completely different. So she chose this gothic thriller from a director who is known for horror movies.
May 1, 2020 | Rating: C
Murtada Elfadl
Sundays with Cate
like going to the county fair and getting ripped off by the traveling sideshows
June 20, 2012 | Rating: D
John A. Nesbit
Old School Reviews
Though “The Gift” is tonally uneven, it’s still worth a watch if only for the mood and inherent dread present.
April 29, 2009
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed
August 7, 2008 | Rating: 2/5
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review…
Plot
When Jessica King goes missing, all eyes turn to Annabelle Wilson. Not as a murder suspect, but as a clairvoyant. Many of the towns folk go to Annabelle for help, and Jessica’s fiancée, Wayne Collins, turns to Annabelle for possible guidance. Annabelle feels that she can’t help, but this doesn’t stop her from constantly getting visions of Jessica’s fate.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The Gift boasts an all-star cast including Cate Blanchett, Giovanni Ribisi, Keanu Reeves, and Katie Holmes.
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