The Ultimate Gift (2006)

Director:

Michael O. Sajbel

Writers (WGA):

Cheryl McKay (screenplay)
Jim Stovall (book)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

A life experience becomes a gift.

Plot:

Jason thought his inheritance was going to be the gift of money and lots of it. Was he ever in for a big surprise...

Plot Keywords:

Grandfather | Wealth | Lawyer | Wealthy | Inheritance

Awards:

3 wins

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

James Garner	...	Howard 'Red' Stevens
Bill Cobbs	...	Mr. Theophilus Hamilton
Lee Meriwether	...	Miss Hastings
George Lee	...	Pastor (as George Lee Masters)
Brett Rice	...	Bill Stevens
D. David Morin	...	Jack Stevens
Abigail Breslin	...	Emily Rose
Ali Hillis	...	Alexia
Drew Fuller	...	Jason Stevens
Mircea Monroe	...	Caitlin
Donna Cherry	...	Sarah Stevens
Catherine McGoohan	...	Ruth Stevens
Mark Joy	...	Bill's Lawyer
Mel Fair	...	Jack's Lawyer
Alecia Brady Curcuru	...	Bill's Wife

Also Known As:

Das ultimative Geschenk (Germany) (DVD title) [de]
To eshato doro (Greece) (DVD title) [el]

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements, some violence and language.

Runtime:

USA:114 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:PG | Netherlands:AL

Filming Locations:

Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Company:

The Ultimate Gift LLC

Trivia:

James Garner (Red Stevens) claims that this will be his final film.

Goofs:

Factual errors: When Jason is kicked out of first class and back into seat 32B in coach he is sitting in an "E" seat.

Quotes:

Ted Hamilton: So are you Jason's friend?
Emily: Yes. I am.
Ted Hamilton: True friend?
Emily: Absolutely. Pinkie promise
Ted Hamilton: So how long have you know Mr. Stevens?
Emily: We go way back, we're like this
[crossing fingers]
Emily: now where do i sign?
Ted Hamilton: And, um, he hasn't promised you and compensation for this friendship?
Emily: Look at him, does he look like he has anything to offer?
[...]

Movie Connections:

References "Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater" (1987)

Soundtrack:

Gotta Serve Somebody

Truly Moving Picture

I am a judge for the Indianapolis-based Heartland Film Festival. This feature film is a Crystal Heart Award Winner and is eligible to be the Grand Prize Winner in October of 2006. The Heartland Film Festival is a non-profit organization that honors Truly Moving Pictures. A Truly Moving Picture "…explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life."

This is a story of a very rich dysfunctional family. Red Stevens (James Garner) is a crusty, old billionaire who dies suddenly in an air crash. But, Red has planned for his death carefully. He has videotaped an elaborate will. His spoiled and unappealing adult children receive enough to be set for life, but the status of the bulk of the estate remains a mystery. For his grandchild, Jason (Drew Fuller) , Red has special and unknown plans. Jason, by the way, is the ultimate rich-kid, lazy, shallow brat. Through Red's lawyer, Jason is given a number of elaborate, time-consuming tasks and challenges that Red calls "gifts." There are many of these "gifts."

The viewer has the distinct impression that these will either make Jason or break Jason. While doing these tasks in order to get an anticipated pot-of-gold, Jason is mentored and guided and even loved by a Texas rancher (Brian Dennehy), a wise lawyer, a single mother (Alii Hillis), her young daughter (Abigail Breslin) who has leukemia, and an Ecuadorian guide. Jason can't make it without these true, unselfish friends.

The story plays out as a mystery. How many tasks are there? Will Jason tire of the time-consuming and dangerous tasks and quit? Why does Red choose Jason and not the many other numerous children and grandchildren? Is there a pot-of-gold at the end of these tasks? Why is everything shrouded in secrecy? It is profound and interesting storytelling. You want to know the answers to these questions.

As the film progresses, Jason begins to turn for the better, but you never know whether he will finally make it to become a fine human being; specifically, displaying traits like respect for others, sacrifice, heroism, humility, compassion, and fidelity. Or, will he go back to his playboy lifestyle? The acting in this film makes the storytelling believable.

The acting is outstanding and it is a toss-up whether the young people dominate your attention or the old people dominate your attention.

FYI – There is a Truly Moving Pictures web site where there is a listing of past Crystal Heart Award winners as well as other Truly Moving Picture Award winners that are now either at the theater or available on video.