The Ultimate Gift (2006)

Directed by: Michael O. Sajbel | 114 minutes | drama | Actors: James Garner, Bill Cobbs, Lee Meriwether, George Lee, Brett Rice, D. David Morin, Abigail Breslin, Ali Hillis, Drew Fuller, Mircea Monroe, Donna Cherry, Catherine McGoohan, Mark Joy, Mel Fair, Alecia Brady Curcuru, Francis Isaac, Daniel Barbeau, Roger Durrett, David Temple, Eric Gilliland, Brian Dennehy, Michael Rosander, Tim Parati, Elisha Minter, Victor Lee, Brian F. Durkin, Rose Bianco, Michael Fraguada, Carla Rodriguez, Benjamin Parra, John Larrinson Londono

At the end of 2005, 20th Century Fox became the first major production company in Hollywood to launch a label specifically for films based on the Christian theme under the name Fox Faith. The studio wanted to serve the large group of religious film lovers who have a big finger in the pie, especially in America. A selection is made especially for them, containing only films that consider family values ​​to be of paramount importance, in which faith occupies a (prominent) place and in which there is no insults. Sex and violence are also rare, if at all, in these prints. One of the films that fits perfectly into the Fox Faith pattern is ‘The Ultimate Gift’ (2006), a drama about an insufferable young man who learns the necessary life lessons thanks to his deceased grandfather, who helps him on the right path thanks to video messages. It all sounds very tacky and moralistic and it is. Nevertheless, this film by director Michael O. Sajbel strikes the right chord.

Jason Stevens (Drew Fuller) is the prototype of a spoiled brat. He has never had to lift a finger in his life, has money like water and acts like a playboy. When his grandfather Howard ‘Red’ Stevens (James Garner), who built the family empire with his own hands, dies, the family is only curious about how the inheritance will be distributed. But that’s it for a while! Jason, who was at odds with his grandfather for years, expects nothing at all. Finally, solicitor Hamilton (Bill Cobbs) summons him. Red has devised a very special legacy for his grandson; in the form of ‘gifts’ he teaches him some valuable life lessons. If he does well, his ultimate gift awaits him. Jason doesn’t like it at all, but he can’t contain his curiosity. His first ‘assignment’ takes him to Texas, where Red’s friend Gus (Brian Dennehy) shows him how rewarding it is to get involved. When Jason has lost all his money on the next ‘assignment’, he discovers who his real friends are. He meets a critically ill young girl, Emily (Abigail Breslin), with whom he develops a special friendship. He also slowly but surely develops warm feelings for her mother Alexia (Ali Hillis). Without realizing it, Jason becomes a completely different person.

‘The Ultimate Gift’ is an adaptation of the bestseller by Jim Stovall, a blind writer who, remarkably enough, has a cameo as a driver in the film. Given the nature of the novel and the fact that Fox Faith has distributed the film in America, you can expect ‘The Ultimate Gift’ to carry a predominant moralistic message. Fortunately, it never becomes preachy, because the norms and values ​​– except for a not too subtle anti-abortion message and the fact that the characters occasionally take time for their religion – are woven into the story in a very natural way. It’s a shame the script is so predictable; every cliché is removed from the cast and you often see the events coming well in advance. Moreover, not every life lesson Jason is taught is equally relevant. For example, the entire segment in which he searches for his deceased father in Ecuador and is captured by local drug lords, for example, seems quite forced. It also doesn’t fit with the rest of the movie. The directing by Michael O. Sajbel, previously best known as the visual effects man in films such as ‘Vulcano’ and ‘The Ice Storm’ (both from 1997), is solid but nothing more than that. The same goes for Brian Baugh’s cinematography. In terms of visual effect, this print does not add anything extra – unless it is in the final scene when a faint image joke is conjured up from the top hat…

This drama relies heavily on the acting, which is certainly not bad. Drew Fuller – known for TV shows like ‘Charmed’ and ‘Army Wives’ – is one of those beautiful boys that teenage girls have posters of in their rooms. A heavy burden is upon his shoulders; as Jason Stevens, he has to carry the entire film. Although he doesn’t fare badly, his transformation from spoiled brat to good Hendrik is not very believable. Fuller is supported by child star Abigail Breslin, who was nominated for an Oscar for her role in ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ (2006). As the ailing Emily, she is a lot less convincing, because she regularly falls into the smartass type – an annoying trait that more American child actors suffer from. Ali Hillis (‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’, 2005) has a fresh appearance and does her job well as the fragile young mother. However, the best contributions come from the veteran actors in the cast; veterans like James Garner, Bill Cobbs, Lee Meriweather and Brian Dennehy may not have the biggest roles but bring their characters to life without any effort. Especially Cobbs as the erudite solicitor Ted Hamilton is a joy to watch.

Well-behaved and moralistic, that’s how you could describe ‘The Ultimate Gift’. Sweet and soggy too. An unhinged young dog learning his life lessons; we’ve all seen it before – and better. And yet this drama works. The puzzle pieces fit together well. Despite all its clichés and improbabilities, the film draws you into the lives of these characters. Of course you know that in a film like this everything ends up on its feet, but you want to see that with your own eyes. Despite all its limitations, ‘The Ultimate Gift’ is an entertaining film that never gets boring.