THE GIFT = A MEDIUM BAG OF POPCORN
Writer: Joel Edgerton
Director: Joel Edgerton
Starring: Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, and Joel Edgerton
What Goes Around ...
A couple moves into a new house in the husband's old town and run into a former classmate that seems overly friendly, leaving gifts that become increasingly disturbing. The Gift delivers twists and brilliant thriller aspects to an otherwise mundane topic of friendship - or lack thereof.
Now, judging by the trailer, people can think they are in for a Fincher-esque dark telling of friendship gone wrong. For those of us who loved Fincher's Gone Girl and Guzikowski's Prisoners, I would say this movie is in the same vein. However, I think The Gift is the Fincher-lite version of a psychological thriller.
Nevertheless, there were parts that provoked audible gasps and at some point, I kid you not, the entire theater screamed and jumped out of their seats. Something in the way Edgerton plays Gordo with unpredictable vapidity made everyone edgy. But the true hero in this film was Robyn, played by Rebecca Hall (Iron Man 3, The Town) in my opinion. Her arch is fascinating, subtle and necessary.
The Gift is a gothic song about doubt, about character and about truth. Everything about this film is shrouded in mystery - so much so that I am truly afraid of spoilers, so I will not say much more than, WATCH IT! Alone or with a friend or with a significant other. I would not suggest it as a date movie per se, but if you are feeling froggy... Thing is, Joel Edgerton is making movies that ask hard questions and he wisely leaves answers out of the process. I cannot wait to see more from this talented writer.
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