It's been unanimous: Film critics and regular moviegoers alike have sung praises of Joel Edgerton’s “The Gift” for weeks now, and after seeing it on the big screen, it's no wonder. Writer-actor-director (the trifecta of filmmaking, arguably) Joel Edgerton put his writing and directing skills to good use with a suspense thriller that can keep audiences on the edge of their seat!
Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall and Joel Edgerton star in this unexpected story that touches on bullying and its untoward consequences. So convincing were the talented main cast's portrayals--yes, even comedic actor Jason Bateman pulls off anguish, anger and regret with intensity that can draw audiences in--that the otherwise bland story would have been lackluster and boring.
Rare is the story nowadays that is no longer predictable and clichéd. And yet with The Gift, the story is unique, the twist demented and the direction inspired--the slow, sweeping takes and dark scenes add up as the movie progresses to properly create the heightened, tense feeling at the film's climax. TL;DR As a psychological thriller, The Gift is a successful combination of well thought out scenes about an idea that has never been explored before. Fans of fast-paced, action-packed movies would do well to avoid a movie like this, since it's more reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock films than high-budget Micheal Bay movies.
Kudos to Edgerton for putting the edge in Edgerton, for Bateman playing such a bait, man, and Rebecca Hall as...the housewife-with-the-tragic-past. To the guys behind this movie: Congrats for grossing $23.6 million on a budget of $5 million, and thank you for making a movie like this one.
This is a must-watch! Here's the trailer, but don't let it fool you into thinking it's a poorly-conceived, low-budget time-waster. :P
The Gift will hit Philippine Cinemas on August 19!
