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January 21, 2010
The Gift (2000)
Should I see it?
Nope


Short Review:
The real gift is if this movie came with a complimentary barf bag.



Billy Bob Thornton can’t write.

Let’s be clear, neither can I. I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed my atrocious grammar. I understand I am chucking big ol’ cinder blocks at William’s glass house, but I must.

Billy Bob Thornton can’t write.

This film is a drifting, condescending bore. Even with a very talented cast (Cate Blanchett, Greg Kinnear, Giovanni Ribisi, JK Simmons, Gary Cole and Hilary Swank) and one of the best working directors, Sam Raimi, this film is like eating paste dipped in rotten flour. It’s bland and yet leaves an awful taste in your mouth.

Billy Bob is a very talented actor, but I refuse to give him credit for his script work. I need only this film and Sling Blade to buttress my complaint. This guy’s work is first of all BORING. Not just slow, but produces a soul-pounding boredom - listening to Ben Stein reading the collected works of James Joyce boring. Moreover, he hates southerners. Sure, Billy Bob’s name is Billy Bob, but this guy’s writing pokes the South in the eye at every turn. To view his work, you’d think no one below the Mason-Dixon line has any real value. Can we have yet another presentation of a dim eyed, drunken, slacked jawed yokel beating his wife? These guys exist sure, but can we have the other side of the coin every once in a while?

Are there positive sides to this film? No, not really. It’s not a complete loss, but there’s nothing here to recommend either. It’s a bland, lifeless movie waiting for its turn in the bargain bin at your video store. Which is where it belongs.


Related Reviews:
Greg Kinnear movies
Unknown (2006)
Ghost Town (2008)


Other Critic's Reviews:
ReelFilmCritic.com
PopMatters



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2 Comments:

Anonymous Robert M. Lindsey said...

"...this film is like eating paste dipped in rotten flour. It’s bland and yet leaves an awful taste in your mouth."

And you say you can't write. This is a great line!

January 21, 2010 at 2:58 PM  
Anonymous Scott Nehring said...

Thank you kindly, Sir!

January 21, 2010 at 4:59 PM  

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