THE FILM:

Joel Edgerton writes, directs and produces economical psychological thriller The Gift, in which he is also a lead. This tricky Hitchcockian drama is almost entirely focused on core players Edgerton, Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall, all of whom do an excellent job with the deliberately paced, nerve-plucking narrative. An idea placed in the mind is a dangerous thing, and The Gift is all about mind games. Edgerton is an excellent actor (See Warrior and Animal Kingdom if you're unsure.), and proves a formidable director, foregoing gore, effects and melodrama for a quietly intense, moody morality play. To discuss the plot at length would do viewers a disservice, but I highly recommend the experience.

Simon (Bateman) and Robyn Callum (Hall) move from Chicago to the outskirts of L.A. for Simon's work. They're an affectionate, late-thirties pair still looking to have kids. Various baby toys rest in a partially opened box; the only evidence that Robyn lost a baby mid-pregnancy before the move. This triggered anxiety and depression, and the film eludes to her self-medicating. Simon urges her to stay home instead of looking for a job to avoid any undue stress. They meet Gordon "Gordo" Mosley (Edgerton) at a department store checkout. Gordo catches Simon off-guard, reminding him that they attended high school together. They part ways, but Gordo reappears the next day, at the Callums' home, asking for Simon.

The Gift keeps its cards close to its vest, playing on viewers' own fears and social anxieties. Gordo becomes a fixture at the home. Robyn finds him strange but kind; Simon wants nothing to do with him. The film allows viewers to fantasize about why, exactly, that is without setting expectations too high for a tawdry reveal. Gordo is both clueless and in tune to the Callums' internal fighting. He sees a juvenile insult written by Simon, but soon invites the pair to his home for an awkward dinner party. The film is successful as it strums the nerves about Gordo's nature and Simon's own personality flaws.

Each actor provides a terrific performance. Edgerton excels at appearing nefarious but also helpless, like a lost puppy. Bateman plays against type here, which works for the film, and Hall's quiet anguish and anger are palpable. The film's pacing is deliberate, but each of its 108 minutes is used wisely. Social anxieties are perhaps the newest, most uncomfortable elements of a thriller, and The Gift delivers in spades. You may or may not know where this train is heading, but the journey is nerve-wracking. This is professional, refreshing cinema.

THE BLU-RAY:

PICTURE:

The 2.40:1/1080p/AVC-encoded image could probably be slightly better, as it never maintains the clarity and sharpness expected from a new HD transfer. The Callum house is ripe for texture and fine-object detail, with its dark wood, steel and glass, and, while some of that is present, I couldn't help but notice the softer, slightly hazy image. Black levels are also lighter than expected, which may be a result of Edgerton's filmmaking techniques. Some darker scenes are ripe with crush; in others blacks are gray. Otherwise, the image is stable and clean, without digital enhancement or print flaws. Skin tones are accurate and colors are appropriately saturated.

SOUND:

The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio mix serves the dialogue-heavy film well, with strong clarity and fidelity, even in quieter scenes. A couple of jumpy moments rattle the viewer with surround-directed effects, and the score is appropriately layered. An interesting element of the film involves Simon's own surround system, and that effect is delivered to the viewers, too. English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles are available.

PACKAGING AND EXTRAS:

This two-disc "combo pack" includes the Blu-ray, a DVD copy and both iTunes and UltraViolet HD digital copies. A slipcover wraps the standard Blu-ray case. Extras are brief: You get an Alternate Ending (4:38/HD), with optional introduction by Edgerton, and some Deleted Scenes (7:54 total/HD), with optional director commentary. Karma for Bullies (1:54/HD) and The Darker Side of Jason Bateman (1:05/HD) are nothing but extended trailers. Things conclude with an Audio Commentary by Edgerton and two Trailers (2:32/HD and 1:27/HD).

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Joel Edgerton crafts an excellent psychological thriller in The Gift. This economical, nerve-plucking thriller features strong performances from Edgerton, Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall, and is thoroughly suspenseful without resorting to gore or jump scares. Highly Recommended.

William lives in Burlington, North Carolina, and looks forward to a Friday-afternoon matinee.