7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.8 |
A husband and wife try to reinvigorate their relationship but their lives are threatened by a "friend" from the husband's past who holds a horrifying secret about him, sending their world into a tailspin.
Starring: Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, Joel Edgerton, Allison Tolman, Tim GriffinPsychological thriller | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Mystery | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Some people have long memories and deeply wounded souls. Some people have short memories and a blackened heart. In Writer/Director Joel Edgerton's debut feature The Gift, a dark past, an increasingly murky present, and a seemingly bright future all come into question when the bully and the bullied are reunited, when that wounded soul meets with the blackened heart that ruined it. The film takes an interesting look at where people go in life, why they've arrived there, and what set their direction. The film doesn't necessarily explore new ground, but it does introduce a few nice twists on old standby dynamics. It's an eerily dark, believably thrilling, well paced, and confident film, a film that explores two extremes and reinforces the old adage that says "the more things change, the more they stay the same"...or does it?
Gordo.
The Gift isn't the shiniest, brightest movie out there. Joel Edgerton's digitally photographed movie is rather dull and dim, revealing a consistently drained and dreary color palette that leaves even natural greens under optimal daylight conditions looking rather fatigued. Basic clothing hues, supportive background elements, and skin tones are likewise absent vibrance. Black levels are pale and washed out and favor an unnatural brightness. Like the transfer lacks vibrant color, it also lacks nuanced details. Skin and clothing textures serve up basic little textures but viewers won't find the sort of intimately complex elements seen on more precise presentations. A fair bit of noise hovers over much of the image, too. The end result is a watchable transfer that produces an atmosphere that suits the movie but doesn't exactly dazzle the eyes.
The Gift's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack presents nicely. Music enjoys positive placement and definition, whether lighter notes or a few select and well-placed sharper cues throughout. Spacing satisfies and the low end features a good, healthy depth to it. The track features a number of well integrated support effects and atmospherics. Things like running shower water and light party chatter on the lighter end of the spectrum and a sharp, piercing car alarm and a few crashes and shattering glass effects later on prove realistically presented and placed in the stage. Dialogue dominates the movie, however, and there are no problems of note concerning clarity, placement, or prioritization.
The Gift contains a commentary, a couple of very brief featurettes, deleted scenes, and an alternate ending. A DVD copy of the film and a
voucher for a
UV/iTunes digital copy are also included.
The Gift is a smart, perfectly paced Thriller with a dark edge that explores humanity at its most wounded and vengeful on one side, its most non remorseful on another, and on the third, at the confluence of both, a victim of circumstance, secrets, and deceit. The movie doesn't break any new ground, but it's expertly assembled and nails the rhythmic undercurrents that make it work so well. Universal's Blu-ray release of The Gift features passable video and good audio. A few supplements, including a commentary track and deleted scenes, are included. Highly recommended, largely on the strength of the film.
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