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"Ultimate Gift?
I've Heard That Pick-Up
Line Before" |
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Directed by Michael
Sajbel - Written by
Cheryl McKay, Jim
Stovall
Starring James Garner,
Drew Fuller, Abigail
Breslin, Ali Hillis,
Brian Dennehy
Distributed by Film
Foundry - 2007 - 115mins
- Rated PG |
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Share the gift. Change the world. |
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Based upon Jim
Stovall's self-published best seller of the same name, "The Ultimate
Gift" is a film that very much lives the mantra of Stovall...Share the
gift, Change the world.
The film centers on the story of one particular young man, Jason
Stevens (Drew Fuller of "Charmed"), a young man whose entire life has
been filled with prosperity and privilege. Only the tragic,
unexplained death of his father while on a trip with his grandfather
has marred what seems like, dare I say, a charmed life. Yet Jason,
much like the rest of his family, has become concerned only with
money, instant gratification and those things that may really distract
him from all his hopes and dreams.
When his grandfather (James Garner) dies, young Jason is sent on a
journey to receive his inheritance, or as his grandfather calls it,
his ultimate gift.
Along the way, Jason becomes a different human being who experiences
the gifts of work, of friendship, of dreams, of money along with
several other things. In many ways, "The Ultimate Gift" plays with a
similar in tone to Garner's recent "The Notebook" and a similarly
themed film, "Pay it Forward." It is an easily reached conclusion that
Jason will resist, Jason will rebel, Jason will be humbled and Jason
will learn powerful life lessons and receive his ultimate gift.
"The Ultimate Gift" is challenged by many of the same issues that
director Michael Sajbel faced with his last film, "One Night with the
King." "The Ultimate Gift" struggles to establish a consistent tone
for its storyline or characters. At times, it feels as if we are
watching a lighthearted romance. Other times, it feels as if are
watching an inspirational journey. Still other times, it feels as if
we are in the midst of a film about finding hope within tragedy.
Are we, perhaps, watching all three? This is entirely possible, yet
none of the tones are established so soundly that we are allowed to
become fully invested in their characters, their stories, their hopes,
their dreams or their life experiences. Thus, when the film's last 15
minutes offers both tragedy and hope it rings rather hollow and, much
due to a magnificent performance by Abigail Breslin, the tragedy plays
much stronger than the hope.
Indeed, it is young Abigail Breslin's performance as a young girl
dying of leukemia who becomes Jason's one true friend that elevates
"The Ultimate Gift" above mediocrity. Breslin, much like in her highly
touted "Little Miss Sunshine" performance this year, offers a
performance brimming with tenderness, hope, feistiness and utter
delight. Breslin is rapidly becoming one of America's best young
actresses.
Likewise, as her mother, Ali Hillis ("Open Water 2" and "American
Gun") offers a multi-layered, winning performance as a young mother
facing the loss of her daughter. Even in the most predictable of
scenes, Hillis offers a freshness and sensitivity that provides a
balance to the often light approach of the film.
Drew Fuller, on the other hand, struggles in a role that
requires him to journey from self-serving playboy to a man of uncommon
compassion and insight. Fuller seems most hindered by an often
paint-by-numbers script from Cheryl McKay that leads to an ultimately
unconvincing ending. Supporting performances by Bill Cobbs as the
attorney and executor of the will and Lee Meriwether as his assistant
are too under-developed to truly impact the film. Only Brian Dennehy
seems to really shine in his supporting role as a wealthy farmer who
provides Jason the gift of work.
Those who have read Stovall's book are likely to agree that "The
Ultimate Gift" serves as sort of a "Cliff's Notes" version of
Stovall's ideas about changing the world. The film shows approximately
6 of the 12 gifts that Jason supposedly receives, yet never actually
references the remaining gifts. This absence becomes even more
noticeable when the closing credits offer a refresher on the gifts
that Jason has received.
Likewise, there's a scene near the end of the film in which Jason has
completed his tasks and is to receive his ultimate gift. There's an
awkward, unexplained showing of Jason committing various misdemeanors
while he was temporarily homeless. These acts were not seen in the
film, and are never referenced in the film or as Jason is to receive
his ultimate gift. The scene plays awkwardly and feels as if it has
been edited in a way that leaves it feeling incomplete.
There are moments in "The Ultimate Gift" where its obvious that the
film should be about the relationship between a mother and daughter.
These scenes are charming, funny, sweet, sincere and far more
enlightening than anything else that unfolds onscreen. It is these two
characters, not that of Jason, who appear most to get the essence of
Stovall's message...share the gift, change the world.
In some ways, "The Ultimate Gift" will transcend its reviews.
Films that seek to inspire often receive scathing reviews from film
critics, writers and columnists who love to weed out anything that
manipulates their emotions and/or isn't the usual Hollywood fare. This
is a film that will inspire many, frustrate others and simply be
dismissed by even more as nothing more than a cinematic greeting card.
"The Ultimate Gift" isn't the film I'd hoped it would be, however, it
is still a film that will play well with families, those on healing
journeys and those who believe in Stovall's vision of sharing the gift
and changing the world.
While this film adaptation of Jim Stovall's brilliant book isn't quite
an "ultimate gift" itself, it will be a treasured gift for those who
seek films that inspire, teach and transform.
For a special treat, fans of Stovall, who is blind, should watch a
scene near the end as Stovall himself makes a cameo in the film as a
limo driver.
"The Ultimate Gift" is currently playing during the 2006 Heartland
Film Festival and received the festival's "Crystal Heart Award." The
Heartland Film Festival continues throughout the week of October
23rd with multiple showings of "The Ultimate Gift." The film is
currently on the festival circuit with a likely release in March 2007.
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© Written by Richard Propes -
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