(January 23, 2001) — Picture it: the 1950’s. The background covered with swamps, laced with forests of pine and oak. This is the setting of the fictional town of Brixton, Georgia where everyone knows their neighbor. Home of the psychic Annie Wilson. Jessica King (Katie Holmes), the richest, sexiest, most manipulative, superficial, shell of a woman in town is missing, feared to be dead. Short on leads, the Brixton Police hire Wilson to find her. To crack the case, Wilson must go to the darkest and dangerous parts of her mind, resulting in a bracing, heart-in-your-throat, supernatural thriller called “The Gift,” directed by Sam Raimi (“A Simple Plan,” “The Evil Dead” Trilogy). With a lot of star-power, it’s difficult to foresee this movie not being popular. Horror fans will be interested because of Raimi. Blanchett will interest the Anglophile crowd. “Dawson’s Creek” fans will rave over Holmes, especially the male ones, who will drool over her sultry performance. But the most surprised will be the “Matrix” crowd. Keanu Reeves stretches his acting muscle playing Donnie Barksdale, a sadist, unfaithful, wife beating, redneck prone to fits of rage. If the audience does not label Reeves as playing his trademark hero character, they will find he gives the best performance in the film. “The Gift,” released Dec. 22, to select theaters and will expand to more theaters today. This film strives to be an award-winning thriller, and in doing so makes the audience’s expectations too high, with less-than-powerful results. Locals mock Wilson, believed to be a witch. Blanchett’s portrayal of the ridiculed psychic striving to use her gift for the good of the people is excellent. Giovanni Ribisi (“Gone in 60 Seconds,” “Saving Private Ryan”) stands on his own as Buddy Cole, a sweet and suicidal man, hating his father and haunted by inexplicable fears. Hilary Swank (“Boys Don’t Cry”), will tug at your heartstrings as Valerie Barksdale, the insecure, battered, co-dependent housewife. Greg Kinnear (“As Good As It Gets,” “Nurse Betty”) secures some of that love as the young, upstanding, school principal Wayne Collins, the fiancé of Jessica King. Good acting by the cast, great directing by Raimi and a thrilling, high-speed plot written by Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson (co-writers of “One False Move”) result in a thrilling supernatural wonder. “The Gift” is currently playing at theaters everywhere. Rated R for language, violence, sexuality/nudity.