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The gift - Cate Blanchett, Greg Kinnear, Keanu Reeves, Sam Raimi

Threat advisory: High - High risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

Written by Billy Bob Thornton, The gift is a film about Annie Wilson (Cate Blanchett), a young woman with very real telepathic talents.

When a sexy young socialite is murdered, the victim's fiancée (Greg Kinnear) and the local Sheriff ask for Annie's help in solving the gruesome crime. Annie leads police to the body and they arrest the property owner (Keanu Reeves) who is the most likely suspect. After serving as a star witness at the murder trial, Annie can't sleep at night. She has learned to trust her instincts and, convinced the wrong man is in gaol, she asks the local district attorney to re-open the case. With no shortage of potential suspects, Annie is left along with only her psychic powers for protection. The supernatural has become terrifyingly real and now a killer is heading straight for the only witness.

Also starring Hilary Swank and Katie Holmes. Directed by Sam Raimi.

Cinematic intelligence sources

The gift official movie site
Studios and distributors:

Sony Pictures Releasing

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Theatrical report

Redneck city.

If you ever wondered what rednecks are, watch The gift and you'll find out: the women have mullets, the men cut their hair with a lawn mower. And they're the classy ones.

*Shudders*

Meanwhile, there's a murder mystery to solve in which everyone is guilty. The mystery part was ruined for me by a loud-mouthed critic in another screening who blabbed to the whole room "I knew that (actor's name) was the killer because he was giving a really wooden performance." Thanks a lot, bitch. You, however, can still see The gift because you don't know who the real bad guy is.

If you know, there's no point seeing it.

Despite having this undesired knowledge, I was still able to see that The gift is a very tense film. All the good, old-fashioned clichés are there (wandering around without the lights on, red herrings, doubting Sheriffs), helped along by some mighty fine twists. You'll be gripping the armrests of your chair when you watch it, just remember to let go when the final credits roll or you'll start redecorating the cinema.