Movie Review: The Ultimate Gift

Production Company: Fox Faith
Director: Michael O. Sajbel
Cast: Drew Fuller, James Garner, Ali Hillis, Abigail Breslin, Lee Meriwether, Brian Dennehy, Mircea Monroe, Donna Cherry, D. David Morin
Rating: PG for thematic elements, some violence and language

By Gregg Tubbs

(UMC.org)—Jesus was called many things during his time on earth, but none more often than "teacher." His disciples and others would often implore him, "Teacher…explain to us…show us…tell us what we must do." Jesus would share with them life's lessons infused with divine wisdom—lessons that still guide us today. The Ultimate Gift is a new film that carries on the tradition of passing on the wisdom of the ages to a generation sorely in need of guidance. The film follows a wealthy, callow youth on a journey of spiritual and emotional discovery to uncover one of life's ultimate questions, "What is the relationship between wealth and happiness?" The lessons he learns along the way are sometimes hard, often complex, and always unexpected, but they all add up to the ultimate gift.

Based on the uplifting bestseller by Jim Stovall, The Ultimate Gift tells the story of a man whose final act is to share his legacy with his family, passing on a lifetime of wisdom to those left behind and striving to finally right old wrongs. By most measures, Red Stevens (James Garner) was a success, both personally and professionally. He was a self-made billionaire, admired by his fellow oil tycoons and the undisputed head of his family. Unfortunately, the family he left behind is greedy, needy, and back-stabbing. They are focused on money and nothing more. In life, Red gave them too much, too easily, but shared too little moral guidance. In death, Red is determined to set this wrong right with at least one family member, his grandson Jason (Drew Fuller), who the only son of Red's eldest son who died tragically years ago.

Jason—spoiled and cynical from lavish trust funds and his dysfunctional family—makes an appearance at the reading of Red's will only to find out his share of the estate. He can barely contain his boredom and contempt for his family long enough to hear what his inheritance will be. In a videotaped message, Red announces that Jason will indeed inherit the "ultimate" gift, but first must satisfactorily complete a series of twelve tasks. What Jason doesn't realize is that the tasks are the gifts. They are meant to challenge him, make him think and force him into critical self-examination. At a ranch in Texas, for example, he learns the gift of hard work and the satisfaction of doing something yourself and doing it right. When he is stripped of his money, his trendy entourage falls away, and he discovers what a real friends is. And at the bedside of a critically ill little girl named Emily (Abigail Breslin), he learns the true meaning of family.

The Ultimate Gift is told with humor, warmth and a disarming simplicity that makes it easy to focus on its people and message. Relative unknown Drew Fuller holds his own as Jason, and solid supporting work by Garner, Lee Meriwether, Brian Dennehy and up-and-comer Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine) add some star wattage along the way. Gift occasionally feels like a Hallmark Channel original, but somehow it suits this old-fashioned, earnest movie. While most films struggle to come up with even one clear message (other than "whoever has the biggest guns wins"), this film has twelve strong ones. Some are spiritual, like the power of prayer (particularly during difficult times), while others might be considered "traditional," such as the value of hard work.

Two of the film's most important messages deal with the importance of forgiveness and the proper place of money in one's life. There's a lot of bad blood between Red and Jason, which was originally caused by the circumstances of the death of Jason's father. Over the years, however, the anger and bitterness between them becomes compounded, almost like interest. In the end, Jason and his grandfather are finally reconciled as Jason learns to forgive his grandfather. 

Many of Jason's tasks are meant to help him understand others, see life through their eyes and learn to forgive. He learns that forgiveness is essential to a life well spent-in friendship, family and life itself. He also learns that more money does not bring happiness. However, sharing your good fortune with those you love, those who have less, and particularly with those in dire need, can bring true happiness and deep, spiritual satisfaction.

At the heart of The Ultimate Gift is the deep truth that a life devoted to self is empty, but a life devoted to sharing one's self and God-given gifts with others is truly a life lived to its fullest. In the film, Red Stevens waited until he died to share this message and teach these lessons to someone he loved. But why wait? You could watch The Ultimate Gift with someone you love—perhaps even someone you need to reach out to or reconcile with. It could be a good launching point to explore life's lessons and maybe even share the ultimate gift yourself.

Study Questions:

• Why do you think the film was called The Ultimate Gift? What was the gift? Can you think of greater gifts? What is the relationship between Jesus' ultimate sacrifice and the "ultimate gift"? The film shows the passing on of important lessons. Who, in your life passed on lessons to you? What were they? Which lesson meant the most to you?
• Have you ever resisted learning a lesson like Jason did in the film? When did you accept the wisdom of the lesson? Or did you?
• In the film, Red considers "trouble"or hardship a lesson. What did Jason learn from his troubles? Do you agree that experiencing troubles can bring valuable lessons?
• A main theme of the film is mending relationships. What did Jason learn about family? Friends? Did you learn anything from the film that could help you with relationships?
• What did the film have to say about money? Does it answer the question about the proper relationship between wealth and happiness is? How would you answer that question?
• Can you name the twelve tasks in the film and the message of each? Which one meant the most to you? Were there any you disagreed with? Why?
• What role did faith play in the film? Who showed the most faith? Did Jason's appreciation for faith and prayer change over the course of the film?
• Jesus was the ultimate teacher. Find and discuss instances in the Bible when he was called "teacher." (See Matt. 17:23-25, Mark 4:38, Mark 5:35, Mark 10:17, John 8:4.) What has Jesus taught you? Are there things you feel you still can learn from Jesus?
• Who have been the teachers in your life? To whom have you been a teacher? Did this film help you appreciate the role of those who share wisdom with us?

Related Links

Official The Ultimate Gift site

Theatrical Trailers

Flash