{I originally wrote this review September 20, 2000, two months after I was part of a preview audience. That’s the only version I’ve seen.}
’’The Gift’’ isn’t coming out until later this year. I saw it about two months ago as part of a preview audience at Paramount in Los Angeles. Although I’m not supposed to talk about the movie too much, I couldn’t help but write about the acting.
CATE BLANCHETT plays a southern mother who has a ’’gift’’ of seeing the future. Cate plays this character so wonderfully, I forgot that she is the same lady capable of wearing those fabulous Jean Paul Gaultier dresses. I think there’s another nomination coming her way.
HILARY SWANK plays a battered woman who is a client of Cate’s. Hilary is such a gifted actress. Although I don’t think she’s going to get many kudos with this performance. Why? I don’t know, but it’s just a feeling. Hilary has a knack for acting less attractive than she is.
KEANU REEVES is Hilary’s abusive husband. I know he’s not really known for his acting, but, I think he’s going to surprise everyone with this performance. I didn’t count ’’Whoa’’ in his vocabulary. He’s really burly and is a redneck. I predict at least a Golden Globe nomination merely because people won’t be able to stop talking about his performance.
KATIE HOLMES plays the sweet/sour fiancee of Greg Kinnear. This performance solodifies her as an adult actress. This character is a far cry from Joey Potter (’’Dawson’s Creek’’). This is for the guys; she is naked in a few scenes.
GREG KINNEAR plays a teacher engaged to Katie Holmes. Greg is such a great actor. Who would have guessed it from watching ’’Talk Soup’’. His character is very well acted. I see a nomination coming up.
GIOVANNI RIBISI plays what? You guessed it. A crazy guy. Why is he so type casted? His character is almost exactly the same character he played in ’’It’s The Rage’’ {very good independant movie starring Andre Braugher, Joan Allen, Gary Sinise, and David Schwimmer- check it out}. But, no one else could have played this character.
I think this movie is coming out in December. Whenever it comes out, you should check it out. It’s really a good movie that is very well acted.