Review of The Gift (2000) by Janika Maria B — 25 Mar 2013

There are times when it stinks of the familiar, like the melodramatic courtroom scenes and what I found to be an uninspired musical score. The weak climax was also a fault, but it was made in such a sweeping, fairytale-like way that I couldn't look away.

Cate Blanchett is always resonant and here she just shines of motherly vulnerability and an instinctual need to protect. Giovanni Ribisi also gives an incredible and disturbingly moving performance as well.