The Gift Review
RYAN: This new thriller is written, directed by and co-starring Joel Egerton whom we loved in The Great Gatsby. Who knew he was such a force to bebe reckoned with? Because this movie is such a brilliant, impressive accomplishment. It’s one of the greatest thrillers I can think of. I was so sucked into this film, I forgot all the while, I’d eventually be reviewing it. Love it.
CHUCK: I loved it too. For his first feature length movie, it’s almost like Joel is an auteur. He had such a vision.
RYAN: He had us all in the palm of his hand. We saw this in a large audience and normally people laugh inappropriately at suspenseful, thriller moments but everyone was silent in this audience.
CHUCK: Everyone was swept up into the story. And the movie does a great job of taking you along this journey where you’re never sure of where you’re going. We’ve gotten used to thrillers being formulaic whereas this one was new and fresh.
RYAN: It really did buck conventions of the genre. There’s a vibe and discomfort you feel while watching, you’re one edge the whole time. And because the things you expect to happen, don’t, it makes you freak even more. There was one moment where I jumped higher than in any horror movie in the last 15 years.
CHUCK: I jumped also at that moment.
RYAN: And it’s not a horror film. It’s just effective filmmaking. And there are many twists. It’s unpredictable. It’s so enjoyable.
CHUCK: One of the reasons why the movie feels so much tension is because of the lack of musical scoring. There’s barely any in the first 45 minutes and then it’s sparingly used from then on.
RYAN: I noticed that too, especially in a certain scene that was building tension and I thought, “where’s the unnerving music?” But actually, the lack of score made it more real. In real life, we don’t have scary music playing while we walk through a dark house.
CHUCK: It also shows the level of restraint that Joel Egerton has as a director. He’s not heavy handed and he knows exactly what he wants. It’s evident all throughout the film. He’s fantastic. And let’s talk about him as the actor.
RYAN: So good. And Jason Bateman too – I’d say it’s his career’s best performance. It’s totally against type and he he makes it his own. I don’t think anyone would have read the script and thought of Jason Bateman for the role. I’ve never seen him in this genre before. He was very authentic.
CHUCK: All of the characters evolve in this movie and there are layers and it’s so cool to watch them, from an acting standpoint, how they evolve.
RYAN: Rebecca Hall was also wonderful. They all almost underplay. It’s never too much.
CHUCK: None outshines the other. They’re a great ensemble.
RYAN: It’s so disturbing in a good way. It leaves you with questions that are so brilliant. Joel is so creative to come up with this story as intricate and developed as it is.
CHUCK: You just will never be able to predict where the story is going and please – when you see this, don’t ruin it for others by telling them what happens.
RYAN: No spoilers! This is really such a terrific movie. It’s amazing and seeing it in the theater, with the big darkness, and surround sound, you’ll really get more out of it.
