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THE ULTIMATE GIFT Send This Review to a Friend
Fox Faith is dedicated to providing spiritually uplifting stories geared for Christian audiences. Many films can do that without such specific marketing goals, but “The Ultimate Gift” is the sort of simple minded story that pushes the requisite buttons shamelessly in ways that would turn-off those who want more art and sophistication in their morality tales.
Jason (Drew Fuller) is a spoiled young man who believes everything is coming to him. When his rich Texas grandfather, Howard “Red” Stevens (James Garner) dies, he leaves a set of instructions—and a video—meant to lead Jason on a journey that will test him and teach him what life should be about. If he proves himself, there is a final reward.
The corny saga involves a series of challenges and the people Jason meets along the way. One point of interest is the appearance of Abigail Breslin, the Oscar-nominated actress from “Little Miss Sunshine.” Here she is Emily, a terminally ill little girl who wins Jason’s heart. Ali Hillis plays her mother, who also wins Jason’s heart. Bill Cobbs plays Ted Hamilton, Red’s faithful lawyer carrying out his wishes, with Lee Meriwether as his aide and Brian Dennehy as the grandfather’s pal Gus.
The film, based on a novel by Jim Stovall and co-written by him and Cheryl McKay, moves with relentless earnestness under the stilted direction by Michael O. Sajbel. A Fox Faith release.
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