The story line is a little clichl - guy gets estate if he can prove himself - but done is such a way that you don't care. This movie has all the aspects of a great film; sure it's no Godfather, but its still and incredible flick. On his return after completing the first task, everything he values is suddenly taken away from him his luxury apartment, his restored muscle car, and all his money and he is left homeless. And they can choose to wield a 10-pound sledge, when they really only need a 2-pound hammer. It became obvious early on that viewing this film required that I constantly suspend my disbelief system. Jason learns from his guide that the story he had always believed about his father's death was a lie, fabricated by his grandfather out of guilt and shame for trying to push Jason's father into the oil business. For his reckless and selfish grandson Jason Stevens, who hated him, Red assigns twelve apparently simple tasks called "gifts" - of work, money, friends, learning, problems, family, laughter, dreams, giving, gratitude, a day and love - challenging the playboy Jason to a journey of discoveries. and the right-wing paternal-guidance aspect. We know hes going to be humbled, but the way it goes down doesnt strain credulity (apart from his Ecuadorian kidnapping, which feels like something out of MacGyver). All rights reserved. I also learned that you are rewarded for being charitable. As Alexia and Jason fall in love, Emily comments (accurately), Even if you got nothing else out of the deal but her, youd still be a huge winner. Alexia is on the brink of insolvency, but shes thankful for what she has. Caitlin, knowing that he has regained his wealth, makes an attempt to win him back, but Jason declines her offer. When Red Stevens opened the library, he told the librarians "Books don't do any good when they're? The Ultimate Gift, a drama directed by Michael O. Sajbel and released in 2006, tells the story of a thoroughly spoiled and rebellious man Jason, whose dying grandfather decides to put him through a series of obstacles, leading to what he calls 'the ultimate gift'. This was a good, clean family movie that you can watch anywhere anytime!!! Well acted movie with some great names starring. Bottom line is this: the only way you might find this movie entertaining is if you fit into on of three categories. How do the various secondary characters -- his materialistic mother, the "bum" who steals in the park, the "amigo" in Ecuador -- help Jason learn his lesson? There are lots of surprises for the Stevens' family and board of trustees during that epic meeting where the will is read! Answer: Emily Emily was the little girl in this movie played by Abigail Breslin. Well,there may be a 1000 reviews on this title about this movie.So, I am gonna stop being a clich' and tell you what this movie exactly did to me. I think if it was released today, there might be a much better reception. He tells Emily that he was detained. Had familiar acting faces of the past (James Garner; Lee Meriwether), plus some excellent newer actors we'd not seen before. Even the star (Drew Fuller who tried his best) of this joke-fest was better in the one year he was on the show "Charmed" then he was in this. My reason for a 7 is easy. I wouldn't watch it again or rave about it, but it was nice enough and not insufferable. It was the opening scene.. inhanced by a PINK UMBRELLA in a sea of black ones.. cmon.. help me out here. 162 Pages. It was such a beautiful and heart worming story and Fuller and Breslin are fantastic together. Jason has a lot of abhorrence towards his grandfather due to the fact that his father died in a plane crash working for Red and Jason has always blamed it on him. Then I saw that Abigail Breslin was in it and I thought "Well I definitely have to see it now!" Though theyre never shown in bed, its implied that Jason and Caitlin had a prior sexual relationship. It's inspirational, but the inspiration is to help other people and form stronger relationships, and it's hard to argue with that. Jason smokes cigarettes twice and asks Gus if they can stop at a store for more smokes. Why were there so many people at the elderly woman's funeral procession? I am disappointed it did not receive a better advertising/marketing campaign. Bad and boring movie, in conclusion. The stories are similar in the messages that they teach even though they use different story lines. To begin with, I tell you guys I didn't make it to the end. The Christian slant of the movie was evident, but it did not proselytize or become judgmental. When he tries to see where his father was killed, he is kidnapped himself. Sketch the front, top, and side views of this object. The characters of his mother and his girlfriend named Caitlin are also equally convincing as "uppercrust divas"! John. Uplifting and positive though sometimes predictable The Ultimate Gift is the story of how one young man learns to live his life in a valuable unselfish way. I didn't even know there WAS a "Fox Faith" line of movies, but I will check from now on and avoid them. All in all, the cast was great, the acting was great, the script waswell, it could have been easier to understand and it was good, and the directing could have been better but I suggest that everyone sees it. director of photography Film Editing by Scott Chestnut Casting By Mitzi Corrigan Beverly Holloway Production Design by Stephen Storer Art Direction by Linden Snyder Snappy lines, stellar performances, Capra classic. I had two problems with the film: The first was that the relationship between the lead character and the little girl's mom was not developed fully. 33%. He also encountered many problems in his gift like losing everything he had. There are millions suffering without hundreds of millions, trust funds or billions that will be handed over to them when they complete a few jumps through some hoops. Jason is brought into the board room where a lone box rests on the table. This may be why she kept their bodies around after they died to preserve the environment she had grown accustomed to and alleviate her loneliness. Their content is more balanced, with solid story lines exploring each character's mental and spiritual health and wellbeing. Jasons first task? View on the film: Following a lazy start at his ranch job, Jason does good work. Emily carries a pink umbrella and was at Red's funeral. Soon after, his vision gets blurry. more times. Jason balks, but his gold-digging girlfriend, Caitlin, convinces him to give it a go. She was looking for a father figure and found herself attracted to the authority of the men she loved. Many avoid cinema because they have been disappointed so many times. She was a teacher who had impacted many students. Why were Alexia and Emily at the funeral of Red Stevens in The Ultimate Gift? This is all going in accordance to his grandfathers wishes as part of his test. There are simply not enough of this type of movie for me to enjoy. But, through the plethora of middle school acting and a plot turned drastically awry, The Ultimate Gift is certainly not worth a 7.3. The message here has really resonated with folks already, as proved by the little underground book that has become a worldwide sensation. [1][2], The film's DVD sales were quite high in relation to its theatrical receipts and it continues to be a success in DVD sales and on television. When a possible 'future' bequest is mentioned Jason's curiosity takes hold long enough to take first class seat (at least he thought it was first class) to Texas to pick up the secret $$$$$$ bequest. There were both overtly religious parts (a statue of Jesus, etc.) Third is the Gift of Money and he has to give away his paycheque. I was close to actually turning off the movie because I couldn't stand her little "almost witty" remarks any longer. But second: He is shown as a VERY good guy, coming back to rescue his collegue. 2401 Lake Park Drive SE Smyrna, GA 30080 404-920-7430 | editor@georgiabulletin.org webmaster@archatl.com. This is the fourth film from Fox Faith, a division of Twentieth Century Fox, created to provide audiences with quality inspirational features, something of a recently opened Hollywood niche, prompted by the overwhelming success of "The Passion of the Christ." Jason ends up taking a detour to seek out his father's legacy (he died doing good work in Ecuador). I can't wait until it's release to see it again. In the end good potential does not carry the day. Whilst retaining some of the TV Movie staples (hello sick child!) The website's critical consensus reads, "Though The Ultimate Gift avoids religious speechifying like other Fox Faith films, it's dramatically inert with flat direction. Not the best Christian film, but definitely not the worst. Have to be honest and say it didn't move me that much; I just couldn't buy into the premise that it might not work out; that said it may well be fine for those who want a nice, gentle movie to watch that won't offend, has moments of excitement, and some nice character roles. It refocused me on what's truly important to myself, my relationships and life overall. When he meets the leukemic girl Emily (Abigail Breslin) and her mother Alexia (Ali Hillis), Jason changes his perspective of life and money, superseding the expectations of Red, improving and becoming a better man and receiving the ultimate gift from his wise grandfather. If you have an ounce of intelligence, avoid this film like the plague ! Touching performances by Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine) and other seasoned actors such as Drew Fuller, James Garner, Brian Dennehy, and Lee Merriwether will hopefully take this movie to the Oscars! And what a great investment that living room sofa for the night would have been! So: What happened to these poor other guys? The book is a great story, the movie's storyline is even better. Totally recommended for the whole family! It opens with Mr. Obviously he has lots of lessons to learn. They were all perfect in their given roles. The three of them go horseback riding and Emily asks him what his best gift is. As did Emily's incessant lecturing to Jason vis a vis: This is how your love life is going to be.DO YOU HEAR ME JASON.DO YOU HEAR ME? The plot, acting and story were amazing. [1], DVD sales were $9.55 million in the first two months following its release. Jason Stevens, the spoiled grandson of Texas oil baron Red Stevens, shows up late for Red's funeral and makes a scene. The Heartland Film Festival is a non-profit organization that honors Truly Moving Pictures. It was a fun and cute story with believable characters, and strong performances all around. The producers and directors of this movie took a clever idea that could have been SO good and successfully ruined it. How much better to gather backing in order to deliver a positive message about living purposefully and using Gods good gifts to serve others needs, than to shun such ties and deliver the opposite. This would be a good movie for youth groups to see. She is delightful. While this was a reasonably entertaining film in the "made for TV" sense, it was very religious and hierarchical. Not pretending to be anything but what it is, just know this is a message film and one designed to get us to look at ourselves. He asks his grandson, How can I give you something and not have it ruin you like your uncles and aunts? Other messages praise problems (Our lives should be lived not avoiding problems, but welcoming them as challenges) and learning from lifes inevitable hard knocks (Any process worth going through will get tougher before it gets easier. 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