4/5 The Gift One of the biggest problems with thriller/horror films these days is that they so rarely have dimensional characters. Even good scary movies, like 2013’s The Conjuring, consist of exceptional fright sequences built around stock characters. Thankfully, there has been an upward trend as of late. Last year’s The Babadook and the more recent It Follows both had real, flesh-and-blood characters we could relate to and believe in. First time feature director Joel Edgerton’s The Gift, about a married couple being stalked and terrorized, continues in that same vein of excellence. Who knew that the macho actor who's populated films like Zero dark Thirty, Warrior, and Exodus: Gods and Men would be this skilled behind the camera? Edgerton has directed a couple shorts, written even more screenplays, and came up with the story for last year’s excellent The Rover, but nothing could prepare you for how skilled this guy is here. Even the best of directors take a few films to really find their voice, but Edgerton expertly borrows from the greats, takes a familiar stalking story, and adds his own signature blend of depth and character detail. Let’s take a deeper look. | Director: Joel Edgerton Starring: Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, Joel Edgerton Writer: Joel Edgerton |
Simon (Jason Bateman) and Robyn (Rebecca Hall) have recently moved into a modern, heavily-windowed home in an upscale suburban neighborhood. They do normal things like make decorating plans, unload boxes, and introduce themselves to the neighbors, one of which is Allison Tolman from FX’s Fargo reboot (nice touch). They seem perfectly content, especially Simon, who’s in line for a big promotion at his security tech company. It’s Hall’s Robyn who shows the first signs of unrest. Unloading boxes, we spot a bassinet. Were they once parents? Did she miscarry? Does she battle depression because of it? All of these questions flood your brain, but Edgerton is in no hurry to answer all of your questions.
First, we have to meet Gordo (Edgerton), an acquaintance from Simon’s past that runs into them at a store. Seeing how eager Gordo is to make friends and do favors, you begin to wonder if he “runs into them” on purpose. Like I hinted at earlier, your brain is reeling by this point. You’ve seen his movie, and you are sure what is going to happen. Think again. By doing something as simple as giving his characters some deep-rooted layers, Edgerton totally flips this seemingly formulaic film on its head. I certainly do not want to give anything away, so just believe me when I say that you do not know who these characters truly are until you spend a little time with them. A mixture of studied direction, smart writing, and subtle, emotional performances makes this one of the most unexpected joys of 2015. The Gift may borrow its frights from other films, but its psychology is something totally knew.
[MILD spoilers ahead]
I don’t usually a do a section that contain spoilers, but the revelations in the film shook me enough that I felt I should do so. If you have not seen the film, your best bet is to stop reading now. For those who have seen the film, can you believe how much sympathy you felt for the “bad guy”? Films have made their villains sympathetic in the past, but rarely have I made my way through a film hoping the stalker would actually get his revenge. Never have I ever felt a tinge of victory when the bad guy comes away victorious.
You can tell from the film’s trailer that Simon and Gordo had a troubled history. You figure out that Simon was probably a bully not far into the film. What you do not know is the extent of Simon’s bullying, past and present. That bullying spirit does not simply go away as you get older, and Edgerton understands that perfectly. That evil spirit seeps into every notch of your life, from your home life to your work. Edgerton paints Gordo as a victim that is still, to this day, being terrorized by Simon. It’s a brave move to make your antagonist so sympathetic; Edgerton nails the landing.
I even hesitate to use the terms “bad guy” and “antagonist,” seeing has how both Simon and Gordo are painted. Gordo may be the true villain, but anyone who sees the reveal of what Gordo actually does for a living and does not feel so bad for him lacks a heart. In the end, I guess the true protagonist is Robyn, who is the beating heart of the film. She almost immediately sees both men for their true selves, both the good and the bad.
First, we have to meet Gordo (Edgerton), an acquaintance from Simon’s past that runs into them at a store. Seeing how eager Gordo is to make friends and do favors, you begin to wonder if he “runs into them” on purpose. Like I hinted at earlier, your brain is reeling by this point. You’ve seen his movie, and you are sure what is going to happen. Think again. By doing something as simple as giving his characters some deep-rooted layers, Edgerton totally flips this seemingly formulaic film on its head. I certainly do not want to give anything away, so just believe me when I say that you do not know who these characters truly are until you spend a little time with them. A mixture of studied direction, smart writing, and subtle, emotional performances makes this one of the most unexpected joys of 2015. The Gift may borrow its frights from other films, but its psychology is something totally knew.
[MILD spoilers ahead]
I don’t usually a do a section that contain spoilers, but the revelations in the film shook me enough that I felt I should do so. If you have not seen the film, your best bet is to stop reading now. For those who have seen the film, can you believe how much sympathy you felt for the “bad guy”? Films have made their villains sympathetic in the past, but rarely have I made my way through a film hoping the stalker would actually get his revenge. Never have I ever felt a tinge of victory when the bad guy comes away victorious.
You can tell from the film’s trailer that Simon and Gordo had a troubled history. You figure out that Simon was probably a bully not far into the film. What you do not know is the extent of Simon’s bullying, past and present. That bullying spirit does not simply go away as you get older, and Edgerton understands that perfectly. That evil spirit seeps into every notch of your life, from your home life to your work. Edgerton paints Gordo as a victim that is still, to this day, being terrorized by Simon. It’s a brave move to make your antagonist so sympathetic; Edgerton nails the landing.
I even hesitate to use the terms “bad guy” and “antagonist,” seeing has how both Simon and Gordo are painted. Gordo may be the true villain, but anyone who sees the reveal of what Gordo actually does for a living and does not feel so bad for him lacks a heart. In the end, I guess the true protagonist is Robyn, who is the beating heart of the film. She almost immediately sees both men for their true selves, both the good and the bad.