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Review

For decades, rural folk have referred to those possessing psychic powers as having "the gift," a mixed-blessing ability to be kept from strangers and embraced only by those who believe. After what happens to Annie (Blanchett) in the atmospheric mystery thriller The Gift, it's little wonder as to why. In a small Georgia town, the widowed Annie barely supports herself and her three kids from government checks and psychic readings. When the daughter of the town's richest citizen goes missing, and the police have exhausted all leads, Annie is called into the investigation. Her life begins to spiral out of control when a vision leads police to the body, and puts Annie and her children at risk. Whether or not one believes in spiritualism shouldn't take away from the enjoyment of this alternately spooky and kooky tale, one in which the apparition of a dead relative is handled with the same sincerity as that of the subplot of a wife abuser. Director Raimi and writers Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson try to steer clear of the clichés, and, for the most part, succeed. Blanchett is excellent as the vulnerable Annie, though Reeves make the biggest impact as an abusive husband.