The Gift

"The Gift," acted, written, and directed by Joel Edgerton (apparently another Sylvester Stallone), is a very suspenseful, creative, and enjoyable thriller. Simon (Jason Bateman) and Robyn (Rebecca Hall) have just re-located from Chicago to California. Simon has a new, high-paying job and Robyn is a freelance interior designer.  They have just moved into a beautiful home. Simon drives a new Mercedes. They would like to have a baby. Everything seems great, but, of course, there's more below the surface. While shopping for household items, Gordo (Joel Edgerton), one of Simon's high school classmates, recognizes him and introduces himself. Gordo overhears Simon leave his address to the store cashier, and he later leaves the couple a gift at their door - a nice bottle of wine.  Gordo soon drops by unannounced with another gift while Robyn is home alone.  Robyn decides to have Gordo stay for dinner.  Simon thinks he's "a little off," so he decides after the dinner to tell Gordo that they are just not interested in being friends with him.  (In high school, he was known as "Gordo the Weirdo.") I can't reveal any more, but the film creatively demonstrates how an outside influence, especially a sinister one, can wreak all kinds of havoc in a previously stable and happy relationship. Of course, in order to do so, there must be "fault-lines" (Tom Petty - Hypnotic Eye) in Simon's and Robyn's marriage, which eventually are revealed.   The film is "creepy" in a good way and is very scary in a few spots.  The suspense just keeps on building, and the ending is a mind blower! All 3 leads to a good job, but Bateman's terrific performance surprised me. The movie will work fine as rental, but it's much scarier on the BS.