In “The Gift” (2015), husband and wife Simon and Robyn (Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall) have dinner with guest Gordo (Joel Edgerton). They aren’t truly comfortable with having the awkward Gordo over, but they fake it to be polite. The actors are acting like they’re acting. This is either the easiest or the hardest type of acting.
Another great Hall performance
Later, we learn new information that makes us question the intelligence of Robyn, heretofore shown as a sharp professional woman. But I’m tempted to give her the benefit of the doubt when she’s less than perfect. Hall might be the modern-day master of the moody domestic drama. She carries the horror film “The Night House” (2020) and stars in the upcoming “Resurrection” (July 29).
Even though “The Gift” builds upon a mysterious buried conflict between the two men, Robyn is who we trust and sympathize with, because Hall is subtly mesmerizing. Even if it’s something as simple as her desire to make things right with someone they’ve wronged, we feel for Robyn.
“The Gift” (2015)
Director: Joel Edgerton
Writer: Joel Edgerton
Stars: Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, Joel Edgerton
Behind the scenes, though, this is Edgerton’s show. He also writes and directs, and it’s remarkable that this is his first full-length film in those arenas.
He crafts a simple story: While shopping, Simon runs into Gordo, an old high school classmate who is a little odd. To continue the politeness, Simon and Robyn see Gordo a few times, but it’s always weird, and they’d like to cut him out of their lives. But he keeps dropping off gifts: a bottle of wine, a DVD of “Apocalypse Now,” and fish for their coy pond.
Don’t throw stones in glass houses
The couple’s glass-walled house in the hills near L.A. is always moodily lit after sunset, in the fashion of rich people’s abodes in movies. Edgerton takes advantage of the long, dark corridors, and viewing angles out of the big windows, along with the occasional “Did you hear something?” noise.
Edgerton pulls off an interesting trick wherein Simon is kind of a bully (Bateman often uses a facial expression where he’s a step away from snapping), the inexpressive Gordo is hiding something, and Robyn is naïve about her own husband.
None of them are consistently worth rooting for, but all are sympathetic in certain moments. Our shifting allegiances are natural rather than jarring in this smoothly paced film.
Tough questions
“The Gift” starts by asking that tough social question: “How do you deal with a persistent person you’d like to get rid of?” As the plot thickens, it raises the issue of bullying and reminds us the effects don’t necessarily diminish when you’re an adult. Indeed, those effects can perhaps create your life’s path.
Simon, a corporate climber, takes a “tough cookies” view of the world. You do what it takes to get to the top, and people who are bullied have to get over it. He makes an interesting case, yet “The Gift” is also a slow-burn, subtle revenge film. We want the victim to turn the tables. We want the bully to face consequences.
Edgerton’s film ultimately argues there is a practical reason for kindness and decency, beyond being good for the sake of being good. Positive personality traits don’t get you into holes the way a bullying approach to the world can.
The film is moody, mysterious and life-altering for at least some of these people. For most of the brisk 108 minutes, I was as off-balance as Robyn and champing at the bit to learn answers. But despite probing the dark side of humanity, “The Gift” ultimately leaves you feeling good about choosing the side of good.