Comments
Ultimate Gift, The
With relaxed writing and acting, the tough life lessons thrust upon this benefactor are both enjoyable and wince-inducing. Old pros, like James Garner, Brian Dennehy, and Bill Cobbs offer the contrasting stability against newcomer Drew Fuller’s wildly erratic and bratty character. What starts out as a series of tests that will either forbid or unlock the fortunes of a wealthy grandfather to the unappreciative, spoiled, rich-kid soon becomes an engaging story as Mr. Privileged-pants (Jason Stevens) befriends a precocious little girl (played by Little Miss Sunshine’s star, Abigail Breslan) with her own secret (she’s losing a battle to cancer). When Jason passes the month-long challenge to find a genuine friend, his last-minute agreement with little Emily turns into the real deal as it changes his life. There’s a couple of real funny gags amidst the life lessons, not the least of which is a cattle prod rude awakening during his month of hard labor. Pretty soon the reviewer finds him or herself cheering the new Jason on, just like one of the overseeing trustees, played by Lee Meriwether. Two other sparkling gems find their way subtly inserted into the movie: Dylan’s “Gotta Serve Somebody” and Malcolm Muggeridge’s quote: “Every happening, great or small, is a parable by which God speaks to us. The art of life is to get the message.” Bravo to Director John Doe for taking Jim Stovall’s book and making it come to life on screen as a heart-warming yet profound work of art. [Fox Video] Doug Van Pelt
Spiritual Relevancy: 100
Obscenities: 0
Scenes Of Gore: 0
Nudity/Sexuality: 0
This DVD review was originally published in the Nov/Dec Issue (#128) of HM Magazine. You can order the Print Version of this issue online or find this issue on newsstands. You can NOW read this entire feature in the online edition of HM Magazine. If you're a subscriber, you get a free online/digital subscription with your print subscription. You can purchase a single online/digital edition (which includes access to back issues) for only $1.99. A one-year digital-only subscription can be had for only $6.
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