The Gift

Delicious combination murder-mystery and character portrait set in the present-day South. Widowed mother of three, who works from home as a psychic and card reader, is pulled against her will into the logistics of a popular local girl's disappearance. Although the brutality inherent in the script is laid on with a trowel by director Sam Raimi, "The Gift", written by Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson, has some mesmerizing attributes, not the least of which is Cate Blanchett's luminous performance in the lead. The actress is sensational here; whether hesitantly giving out advice to her regulars, sympathizing with troubled mechanic Giovanni Ribisi or standing up to a surprisingly menacing Keanu Reeves, Blanchett is absolutely riveting. The plot is intricately unwound with occasionally outrageous details. It ends up being quite satisfying.