The perfect expense thriller The Gift entertains those who like their dramas filled with mystery. Packed with a punch, the movie sets up an intriguing story, moves along with a good tempo, become very compelling then turns the table with a finale that you thought you saw coming, but not the twist. It has all the necessary elements of good acting, direction and photography that work together to make the cunning story work.
Moving back after 20 years to Los Angeles for a new job opportunity Simon (Jason Bateman) and his wife Robin (Rebecca Hall) choose a nice home in a suburb. On a shopping trip to the mall, Simon gets approached by Gordo, a former high school chum who seems delighted that he has returned to his old stomping grounds. After a pleasant exchange of old times and an offer of maybe a future get together, the couple return home. An afternoon later Gordo shows up at Simon’s home with a gift of wine with only Robin there. Not wanting to be unsociable Robin invites him in to show off her new home. When he returns the next day with another gift and an invitation to visit his home, it prompts Simon to get a background check on Gordo.
The story goes on from there with the couple getting more wary of the man. Director and writer Joel Edgerton makes his film very suspense filled depicting how anyone from your past can come back into your life. He adds some nice twists as the movie progresses including a problem that developed that was never resolved between Simon and Gordo. Smartly written, nicely played out and combined with expert cinematography and a gripping musical score, Edgerton makes The Gift a surprise bonus for the summer.
The acting in The Gift is terrific with Bateman shedding his comedic exterior for a more serious role. He crafts Simon into a sly businessman who would crush the opposition even if it means a loss of friendship. He’s also very strong with his home life sometimes treating his wife a little odd at times. The chemistry between Bateman’s character and the other two central cast members is extremely good keeping them at arm’s length and covering up a deep secret. His character controls all the action in the film and he pulls off his best dramatic performance yet.
As his wife Rebecca Hall makes Robin a very good loving wife. Being pushed however into a guessing game she retreats to a woman who questions the relationship between her husband and Gordo. Getting caught up in the niceties of being the faithful wife by accepting Gordo as her husband’s friend, she lets her guard down bringing her character at times to an easy target. Hall is brilliant in showing several sides of Robin and it works to keep the audience off guard throughout.
The best performance comes from Joel Edgerton who plays the meek and friendship eager Gordo. He’s very strange in that Gordo comes out of nowhere and attaches himself to a former classmate after 20 years. Of course the audience should be leery of the man after showing up uninvited and that’s what makes the film compelling and at times very scary. In the end Edgerton does a brilliant job of changing from the nice meaningful guy to one that may have an ulterior motive in a way you don’t see coming.
The Gift has been rated R by the MPAA for Language. The film does also contain some violence and illegal drug use. Be cautious when deciding to allow immature children see the film as it does have some scenes that are inappropriate for adolescents.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A very good edge of your seat suspense thriller (B).
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, Joel Edgerton, Allison Tolman, Busy Philipps, Beau Knapp, Wendell Pierce, David Denman, Katie Aselton.
Directed by: Joel Edgerton
Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R for Language. Also contains minor violence.
Running Time: 1 hr. 48 min.
Release Date: August 7, 2015
Distributed by: STX Entertainment
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
