The Gift (2015)

Name every thriller movie cliché in the book and use them in a poorly constructed cinematic experience, and see what you're left with. I can guess the outcome... The Gift.

Joel Edgerton's directing debut, resulted in 1 hour and 48 minutes of obvious plotline and un-impressive twists that I even cringed at the predicatbility of the ending. Starring Jason Bateman (Arrested Development, Horrible Bosses), Rebecca Hall (The Prestige, Iron Man 3) and Edgerton himself (Warrior, Exodus) you may have expected much more from this star-studded cast. The poor plot, follows the story of Simon (by Bateman) and Robin (by Hall) who move away from their old life and problems in Chicago, to a new house in Los Angeles. However, whilst out shopping Simon bumps into an old school colleague named Gordo (Edgerton), who seems a little too interested in the couple. Whilst the couple settle in, they seem to recieve gifts from their estranged friend, ie. Koi for their empty fish pond However, it all takes a turn for the worst, both in the plot and for the couple, when Gordo "the weirdo" asks Simon to "let bygones be bygones", resulting in the huge, dissapointing reveal, of a secret that has haunted Gordon his entire life. The story could have been something, yet it didn't really work.

What makes this film so depressing, is the fact all three of these major actors have had other great performances. This just seemed to be a knock-off of the entire thriller genre, perhaps an attempt of tackling every theme in the book. There was ambiguity, threats of violence, betrayal and all sorts, yet it never really managed to settle on any of them. The camera work was mediocre at best, with angles that didn't complement the story, whilst the other actors involved in the film, appeared to be as bored as I was. I had hoped for much more, but was left with a strong taste of tacky dissapointment. I believe the only enjoyment my friend and myself had, was guessing the entire plot within the first fifteen minutes, and being unbelievably correct.

The films blurb reads as follows, "A young married couple's lives are thrown into a harrowing tailspin when an acquaintance from the husband's past brings mysterious gifts and a horrifying secret to light after more than 20 years." The only time moment I was sent into a harrowing tailspin watching this film was when I poured too much milk in my coffee, after reading IMDB rated the film 7.2.

Matt's rating: 2/10.