The 2015 film psychological thriller The Gift is pretty much a tale of unsatisfying karma. Where the sum is not greater than its parts.
Aussie performer Joel Edgerton wrote and directed this mystery/thriller and considering that this is his first feature length film behind the lens, and in front of it, The Gift does very well indeed. It is, unfortunately, a karmic film that ends on a rather unsatisfactory note. When all is said and done, we the audience really want something more. An end that befits this bullying and manipulative douche on two legs.
There is a twist in this tale about bullying and the film’s overall message is that a leopard cannot and will not change its spots. The Gift Starring Jason Bateman, Brit actress Rebecca Hall, Edgerton and Fargo star Allison Tolman. It entertains but loses steam midway through once we figure out what is really going on.
The Story
Simon and Robyn are a young and successful couple who have put recent tragedy behind them and moved to Los Angeles. Simon (Bateman) has a new job and Robyn (Hall) works from home.
The couple buy a lovely clifftop house and as they buy furniture and essentials for their new palace, they bump into Gordon (Edgerton). “Gordo” remembers Simon from high school and he offers up his phone number. Simon is uncomfortable as he cannot really remember the other man, he says.
Gordon begins insinuating himself into Rebecca and Simon’s life, giving them gifts and stopping by to visit with Rebecca. Things soon begin to go sour and Simon, despite coming across as a nice guy, reveals a side that is a tad unpleasant.
A lot of mystery and suspense is built up by the audience, as well as Simon and Rebecca, wondering just what Gordo is up to. Other questions arise as it appears that Simon knows a lot more about Gordon than he admits.
In many ways The Gift feels an awful lot like the anatomy of a bully. For anyone ever bullied in school, the film’s message that bullies never change, may be a bit daunting. There is however, a small silver lining to this metaphorical cloud. Bullies may not change. However, apparently bullies do get any smarter either.
At first the mystery is engaging. As Rebecca begins to do a little digging, things begin to slow down . It is here that the film begins to reach that unsatisfactory stage. The final act leaves one man “broken” and another satisfied with his actions. Sadly the end feels a bit of an anti-climax.
It Works
Like horror films that hesitate to reveal what is behind that door, the ending of The Gift does something similar. The punishment meted out is pretty devastating but ultimately one wishes for so much more. Ergo the end is an unsatisfactory bit of karmic justice that while devastating could have been so much worse.
Bateman, Hall and Edgerton do well with their respective performances. The director does a capable job in front of and behind the camera. Gordo comes across as a mix of “kicked mongrel” and obsequious stalker.
The many gifts he bestows on the couple make us uncomfortable. If there is any complaint about the film, it would be that the plot is spelled out too well. We learn, as Rebecca goes snooping around, that things are not what they appear at all.
These reveals, despite being spaced out, lead us to the conclusion well ahead of time. Regardless of this, The Gift is an entertaining film.
The Verdict
This is a solid 4 star film. It loses a full star due to its signposting being far too evident. The Gift is streaming on Hulu at the moment. Stop by and watch this one. It may be a tad unsatisfactory in the karma stakes but it is entertaining enough to pass muster overall.
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