As a seasoned film critic with a knack for unraveling the intricacies of psychological thrillers, I must say that “The Gift” left me utterly captivated and pondering long after the credits rolled. This film is not just a simple tale of revenge; it’s a mirror reflecting the darkest corners of human nature, where past transgressions cast long shadows on present relationships.
Some Spoilers Ahead for ‘The Gift’ (2015)
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- The Great Cast in ‘The Gift’
- ‘The Gift’ Makes the Audience Question the Line Between Good and Evil
- ‘The Gift’ Looks at How Far Someone Will Go for Payback
Netflix has rolled out the action-packed thriller titled “Carry-On” to their subscribers, and it’s been well-received with a 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra from a script written by T.J. Fixman. In this movie, Taron Egerton portrays a TSA officer who is coerced into allowing a risky package onto a plane on Christmas Eve. The events unfold following the actions of a character named “Mysterious Traveler,” played by Jason Bateman.
In “The Gift” (2015), a lesser-known yet gripping thriller, the character played by Bateman disrupts Ethan Kopek’s life, much like how someone else flipped Bateman’s world upside down in his own life. The movie skillfully blurs the lines between right and wrong through an intricate psychological battle that keeps viewers guessing. If you’re seeking a thriller where Bateman delves into serious roles instead of comedic ones, this film is a must-watch.
The Great Cast in ‘The Gift’
In his directorial debut, Joel Edgerton penned and helmed the movie, featuring himself as Gordon “Gordo” Moseley. This character reconnects with Simon Callem (portrayed by Bateman) and his wife, Robyn (played by Rebecca Hall), who are discovered to be old schoolmates of Simon’s. Their initial meeting is amicable, but as Gordo persistently visits the couple, bringing presents along, Simon grows uneasy about Gordo’s intrusion into their lives, despite Robyn finding nothing unusual in this development.
One evening, Gordo invites everyone over to his house with another couple. Unfortunately, the second couple backs out. Before leaving unexpectedly for work matters, Gordo informs them. This sets off alarm bells in Simon’s mind about his former schoolmate, and he warns him to keep his distance upon his return. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes apparent that Simon may have been less than courteous to Gordo during their high school days. It appears someone is holding grudges and seeking revenge in a dangerous manner.
‘The Gift’ Makes the Audience Question the Line Between Good and Evil
“The Gift” revolves around the intricate web of character motivations and the subtle distinctions between righteousness and wickedness. At first glance, Simon Bateman seems to be the virtuous protagonist. He is married, and their move from Chicago to Los Angeles at the beginning of the narrative signifies a fresh start for them following Robyn’s miscarriage. The new environment and Simon’s new position offer an ideal opportunity for this couple to rebuild their lives, and from all outward appearances, Simon adores his wife. He appears to be a man with everything one could want.
As Bateman’s portrayal unfolds, Gordo’s emergence casts a shadow over Simon’s character, making the situation increasingly unclear. The way Bateman plays the role makes it seem that Simon is always right, particularly as Gordo becomes more unsettling throughout the movie. However, there’s an undercurrent of arrogant self-assurance in Simon, hinting at questionable aspects of his past character. With Gordo reappearing, those doubtful traits resurface within Simon.
In my perspective as a movie critic, it’s revealed that Gordo’s return and reconnection with Simon stems from a dark secret they shared in high school – a lie spread by Simon accusing Gordo of being molested by an older boy. This fabrication led to a relentless barrage of bullying that forced Gordo to transfer schools. Unbeknownst to many, including Gordo himself at the time, Simon was the instigator, wielding his influence callously because he could, and because Gordo’s deeply religious father interpreted this alleged incident as a sign of his son’s homosexuality. In a chilling twist, the father attempted to purge his son by setting him on fire. The trauma from these events set the stage for Gordo’s methodical quest for revenge against Simon.
As a film enthusiast, I must say that the movie presents an intriguing perspective on the dangers of hasty judgment. Gordo, in no way, appears innocent, and his past actions, which include stalking and causing distress to those who have wronged him, challenge our moral compasses. The director masterfully portrays this ambiguity through Edgerton’s exceptional performance, leaving us questioning whether we should side with Gordo.
In the unfolding of events, it leaves one questioning which side is truly right. I, as an observer, have seen how Simon’s narcissistic nature and self-centered demeanor led him to destroy another’s life. Yet, Gordo’s pursuit of exposing Simon’s current circumstances seems to venture into the excessive. The presents he bestowed upon the couple ultimately became tools for torment. For example, he gifted them koi for their pond, but after Simon warned him off them, the koi were found deceased the following day.
It’s equally evident that Robyn isn’t the only inhabitant in the house when Simon is away at work, since she perceives several signs suggesting someone else is present (such as hearing footsteps, discovering faucets running without her doing it). Gordo’s treatment of Robyn is exceptionally malicious because, as we come to understand, she was oblivious to Simon’s history of being a bully. It seems that Gordo believes he himself was an innocent party at some point, and unfortunately, Robyn becomes the casualty in his schemes.
‘The Gift’ Looks at How Far Someone Will Go for Payback
In the movie The Gift, an intriguing theme revolves around the dynamic, or rather absence, between characters Gordo and Simon. As the story unfolds and we uncover the truth, it skillfully provokes us to ponder whether Simon, in his desire for forgiveness, has forgotten the torment he inflicted on Gordo and is now hoping that he’s “willing to overlook past transgressions.” Or, could it be that he’s so self-absorbed that he intentionally erases the incident from his memory because he has a pattern of treating others in similar ways?
In a pivotal scene, Robyn challenges Simon upon discovering the truth, causing him to refute all accusations and extend an unconvincing apology to Gordo. This act further reinforces the notion that Simon is not a noble character. Remarkably, this behavior extends beyond this incident as Simon’s tactics towards colleagues seeking promotions hint at bullying, suggesting that his childhood misdeeds have merely grown older with him, and, as Gordo suggests, Simon’s past may still be haunting him. In other words, even though he’s grown up, Simon continues to use bullying tactics to get what he wants.
Audience and critics alike were highly impressed by the movie “The Gift“, garnering a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with the general consensus being, “The Gift is cleverly intelligent and subtly rebellious, constantly surprising viewers while keeping them at the edge of their seats.” The directorial skills and scriptwriting of Edgerton were lauded, and his acting performance also earned positive feedback. As for Bateman, his ability to utilize his conventional straight man role in comedies was particularly commended as it intriguingly influenced the audience’s feelings towards Simon. Critic Matt Goldberg from Collider appreciated Bateman’s charm, noting that despite Simon’s obvious flaws, it worked to Bateman’s advantage.
The charm that naturally endears Bateman contributes significantly to Simon’s influence. His portrayal leaves a lasting impression, as despite our dislike for the character, there’s a lingering question of whether he truly deserves severe retribution for his actions against Gordo.
It would be unfortunate to spoil the climax of “The Gift”. Initially, the characters Simon and Robyn experience a miscarriage at the outset, but by the movie’s conclusion, Robyn is pregnant again. The intriguing resolution of this suspenseful tale leaves viewers pondering whether there exists a boundary for retribution. When does revenge become excessive? Does doubling one’s wrongs equal justice? In the case of “The Gift”, audiences are forced to examine their ethical standards in a chilling psychological thriller that lingers in the mind long after it ends. “The Gift” is currently available on Pluto TV, and Jason Bateman can also be found in “Carry-On”, which is now streaming on Netflix.
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2024-12-14 06:03