The Ultimate Gift

Infobox Film
name=The Ultimate Gift


director=Michael O. Sajbel
producer=Rick Eldridge
Jim Van Eerden|
writer=Jim Stovall (novel)
Cheryl McKay (screenplay)
starring=James Garner
Drew Fuller
Abigail Breslin
Ali Hillis
Brian Dennehy
Brett Rice
Donna Cherry
music=Mark McKenzie
cinematography=Brian Baugh
language=English
imdb_id=0482629
distributor=Fox Faith

"The Ultimate Gift" is a film based on author Jim Stovall's bestselling novel released on March 9, 2007 in 816 theaters.cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=ultimategift.htm | title=The Ultimate Gift | publisher=Box Office Mojo | accessdate=2007-05-25 ] The film was not well attended and produced low box office receipts, though DVD sales were quite high in relation to its theatrical receipts.

Plot

When his rich grandfather, Red Stevens (portrayed by James Garner) died, Jason (Drew Fuller) thought he was going to inherit a piece of the old man's multi-billion dollar estate, but it came with a condition. In order to get his share of the willed inheritance, Jason must complete 12 separate assignments within a year. Each assignment is centered around a "gift". The gifts of money, friends and learning are among the dozen that Jason must learn before he is eligible for the mysterious "Ultimate Gift" his grandfather's will has for him.

At one point everything is taken from him and he lives as a homeless man; another time he visits a developing country where even old library books are a treasure. Along the way, the movie spins a side story that was not in the novel, adding a romantic interest, Alexia (Ali Hillis), and her daughter Emily, an outspoken mysterious girl (Abigail Breslin) who, unbeknowst to Jason, is dying from leukemia. All throughout the movie, Jason helps Emily to have a great life while it lasts. As Jason works through these twelve gifts in twelve months, he comes to see Red Stevens as more than a dead billionaire. At the end of the film when he chooses to use his entire inheritance to build a hospital for cancer patients and their families. He has exceeded the expectations of his dead grandfather and receives one final "gift", making him a billionaire. Emily dies of leukemia, and Alexia and Jason pray for her.

The Twelve Gifts

*The Gift of Work
*The Gift of Problems
*The Gift of Friends
*The Gift of Giving
*The Gift of Gratitude
*The Gift of Family
*The Gift of Learning
*The Gift of Money
*The Gift of Laughter
*The Gift of a Day
*The Gift of Dreams
*The Gift of Love (which leads to the "Ultimate Gift")

Cast and crew

James Garner, the well-known actor, plays the mysterious Red Stevens. In the leading male role is Drew Fuller, the well-known TV actor from WB's long-running series "Charmed". Drew described performing in the movie as "an actor's dream." [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-Nv1BTuz84 Drew Fuller interview, on YouTube.com website.] Ali Hillis of "Must Love Dogs" is the leading lady. The cast is joined by Academy Award-nominated actress Abigail Breslin. ReelTalk applauded Breslin, remarking that she "matches her Oscar-nominated work in "Little Miss Sunshine" with a brilliant performance."

The film is produced by Jim Van Eerden and Rick Eldridge, directed by Michael O. Sajbel and written by Cheryl McKay. Costumes were designed by Jane Anderson ("Rudy", "Hoosiers") with makeup by John Bayless ("Cold Mountain", "The New World").

Critical reception

The movie was given generally mediocre reviews from movie critics, although many that would not recommend the movie respected the sentimentality, but found it too sweet for their tastes. On Rotten Tomatoes, "The Ultimate Gift" has a 32% overall approval (56 reviews with a 5.1/10 average rating) but only 15% approval from top critics (13 reviews with a 4.1/10 average rating). [cite web | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ultimate_gift/ | title=The Ultimate Gift (2007) | publisher=Rotten Tomatoes | accessdate=2008-05-12 ] On Metacritic the film has a rating of 49 out of 100 based on 16 reviews. [cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/ultimategift | title=The Ultimate Gift (2007): Reviews | publisher=Metacritic | accessdate=2007-04-09 ]

Among the harsher reviews the "The New York Times" reviewer said, "Reeking of self-righteousness and moral reprimand, [the movie] is a hairball of good-for-you filmmaking...... [T] he movie’s messages — pro-poverty, anti-abortion — are methodically hammered home."cite news | first=Jeannette | last=Catsoulis | url= http://movies2.nytimes.com/2007/03/09/movies/09ulti.html/| title=Grandpa’s Legacy, Beyond Cash | publisher=The New York Times | date=2006-03-09 | accessdate=2007-03-09 ] John Anderson of "Newsday", called the movie "cartoonish and broad," and commented on the surprising obsession with material possessions, [cite news | first=John | last=Anderson | url= http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/ny-etgift0309,0,1919137.story?coll=ny-moviereview-headlines| title=A prodigal son's quest for redemption| publisher=Newsday | date=2006-03-09 | accessdate=2007-03-09 ] while "The Washington Post" noted, "There's nothing wrong with the moral of "The Ultimate Gift's story"; in fact there's everything right about it. But director Michael O. Sajbel too often succumbs to movie-of-the-week sentimentality and starchy pacing."cite news | first=Ann | last=Hornaday | url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?node=cityguide/profile&id=1134080&categories=Movies&nm=1| title=The Ultimate Gift| publisher=The Washington Post | date=2006-03-09 | accessdate=2007-03-09 ]

"Christianity Today" felt the film warranted 2.5 out of 4 stars and called it "lovingly crafted ... but never manages to build up much mystery, suspense, tension, or narrative steam." [cite web
date=March 9, 2007
author= Arends, Carolyn
url= http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/reviews/2007/ultimategift.html
title= The Ultimate Gift
publisher= Christianity Today
accessdate=2007-04-11] . Joe Leydon of "Variety" was favorably impressed and noted that "Discussions of faith and God are fleeting, almost subliminal -- without stinting on the celebration of wholesome family values." [cite web
date=March 8, 2007
author= Leydon, Joe
url= http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117933023.html?categoryid=31&cs=1
title= The Ultimate Gift
publisher= Variety
accessdate=2007-04-11] William Arnold of the "Seattle Post-Intelligencer" writes "Its sincerity, optimism and air of open-minded tolerance go down well, and it makes a nice change-of-pace." [cite web
date=March 8, 2007
author= Arnold, William
url= http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/movies/306673_gift09q.html
title= 'Ultimate Gift' makes the most of its faith package
publisher= Seattle Post-Intelligencer
accessdate=2007-04-12]

The "Washington Post" and "The Hollywood Reporter" both thought highly of Breslin's performance as the young girl calling her "captivating" and referring to her "charm," respectively. [cite web
date=March 8, 2007
author= Scheck, Frank
url= http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film/reviews/article_display.jsp?&rid=8890
title= The Ultimate Gift
publisher= The Hollywood Reporter
accessdate=2007-04-11] Indeed, it was a common theme for those who both recommended the movie and those who did not to praise Breslin's role.

Box office and DVD sales

The "Ultimate Gift" opened quietly with receipts of 1.2 million USD its first weekend. As a result, many theaters dropped the film, causing a drastic slide in screens and ticket sales. As of May 6, the movie had grossed a total of just over 3.4 million USD. DVD sales were $9.55 million in the first two months following its release.

Locations

Despite simulated South American scenes, the movie was shot mostly on location in North Carolina, specifically in Charlotte.

Advance screenings

Because of the philanthropic message of the film, charities in a handful of communities sponsored advance screenings of "The Ultimate Gift" to coincide with National Philanthropy Day 2006. Among such regional screenings was one in Richmond, Virginia, organized in partnership by The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia Bon Secours Health Care Foundation, Richmond Jewish Foundation and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Professor Paul Schervish of Boston College was among those in attendance for the event. Another pre-screening took place on February 22, 2007, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, under the auspices of the United Way of Southeast Missouri. In addition, organizations such as Bernhardt Wealth Management of McLean, VA have held private screenings for their clients. Bernhardt Wealth Management hosted such a screening on February 24th.

Movie cost and underwriting

The movie was financed with $14 million from the Stanford Financial Group, a wealth management firm based in Houston. Stanford showed the movie to prospective clients at private screenings and according to an executive of the firm, they were able to track a number of multimillion-dollar relationships that resulted because of the film.cite news | first=Alan | last=Farnham | url= http://members.forbes.com/forbes/2007/0312/052.html| title=You're Pulling My Legacy | publisher=Forbes | date=2006-03-12 | accessdate=2007-03-09 ]

Notes and references

External links

* [http://www.theultimategift.com/ Official Site]
*imdb title|id=0482629|title=The Ultimate Gift
*rotten-tomatoes|id=ultimate_gift|title=The Ultimate Gift
* [http://www.theultimategift.com/trailerMain.asp Official Movie Trailer]
* [http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006553755 Actor Drew Fuller talks about his role]
* [http://www.youthfilmproject.org/film/ultimategift.htm Great Films]
* [http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/film_review.asp?ID=2792 Slant Magazine review]
* [http://www.altfg.com/blog/archives/2007/03/11/the-ultimate-gift-2007-by-michael-o-sajbel-film-review/ Alternative Film Guide review]
* [http://www.thegiftsonline.com/ Ultimate Gift Ideas]