atlasmb Cate Blanchett plays Annie Wilson, a southern widow with three sons who is just scraping by financially. She does psychic readings to supplement her Social Security benefits. Some of her visions are thrust upon her, rather than sought after. And some of them are gruesome. The gift is also a curse.Blanchett's ethereal beauty somehow never gets in the way of this story about the modest and retiring Annie. And neither does the accent she must effect. Her fine performance is the center of this drama that involves a battered wife (Katie Holmes) and her threatening husband (Keanu Reeves). The rest of the cast, including Giovanni Ribisi, Greg Kinnear, Hilary Swank, Michael Jeter and J.K. Simmons, is formidable.The plot evolves into a murder mystery, then a trial drama, until the final act reveals the truth about an unfortunate night.Most of the characters in this film are dysfunctional or damaged. The story is co-written by Billy Bob Thornton, who certainly knows his way around southern Gothic, redneck drama. With such well-developed characters and setting, this is a film that could support a number of sequels.

Richmond Sim First of all, I would like to express how much I liked the movie soon after I've done watching it. The scene-switching goofs and errors aren't enough to destroy the whole of the film.I like the entire concept of having a crime which was witnessed by a person who wasn't even in the crime scene but witnessed it through her dreams and visions.Despite the fact that movies featuring extrasensory perception of a character is not very unique, what makes this movie really crafted is the great talent of its producers to create an ambiance of mystery without the need of making mainstream plots like having deaths caused by ghosts or monsters haunting for justice.I also liked that they were able to portray spooky scenes without using heavy prosthetic make-up and with just a little of computer generated effects. It made everything appear natural and affright natural.Furthermore, I know that the ending wasn't that perfect. There seem to be many aspects in the story left behind leaving the viewers ask: what happened to this and that. However, I don't know why I enjoy the ending that much (and that is how an ending should be, enjoyed by the viewers).The screen portrayal of nearly all individuals was quite good and that ain't surprising 'cause they all are awarded by different awarding bodies.The over exposure of the trees however, is I believe, something that is not needed because it just kills the runtime. The time occupied by showing the trees should have been used for something else that contributes to the development of frighten from the audience and development of the plot, as well.Overall, I'd give it a score of 8 out of 10. Great job.

David T For starters Cate Blanchett can do no wrong in my humble opinion, she's a very natural actor with an amazing ability to totally absorb the role she's playing.I found the story weak and some of the scenes incredibly predictable, the jump out and scare you moments, whilst only a handful are over done with sudden explosions of noise from the film's score. Totally un-needed as the tension works a wonderful solo.The cards she uses to get her 'visions' are weird - what are they. This, for me was the biggest weakness. They are an unnecessary prop, the character's psychic ability could very well stand on its own as visions and dreams.There's not badly cast person in this thriller, especially the three boys who their roles brilliantly, one wouldn't know they were acting. If you love Blanchett, you'll not be disappointed. Had it been a little tighter and not so strung out, I'd have given it a 10 - as it is, 8's a pretty good score I reckon.

Armand brilliant acting. impressive cast. and the unique Cate Blanchette. pieces of a most common and special thriller. tale of a gift and which hunting. and force of a woman out of any pressure. not action is important. but the structure. not fear. but delicacy of feelings. moral lesson, metaphor, remember of Christian values, subtle game and silent joy of inspired end. a film as silk. colors, touch, waters of past, the truth and desire to give to others each slice of your gift. vulnerability as heart of force. courage as skin for profound fear. all as beautiful work of a great actress and precise art of each of her partners.