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The Ultimate Gift Plot

The Ultimate Gift is a theatrical production based off author Jim Stovall's bestselling novel. It was released on March 9, 2007 in 797 theaters.

When his rich grandfather Red Stevens (portrayed by James Garner) died, Jason (Drew Fuller) thought he was going to inherit a piece of the oil man's multi-billion dollar estate. Things didn't quite happen that way. In order to get his share of the willed inheritance, Jason must complete 12 separate assignments within a year long period of time. Each assignment is centered around a "gift". The gifts of Money, Friends, and Knowledge are among the dozen that Jason must learn before he is eligible for the mysterious "Ultimate Gift" his grandfather's will has for him. Along the way, the movie spins a couple side stories that were not in the novel, adding a love interest, Alexia (Ali Hillis), and her daughter Emily, a mysterious girl (an up-and-coming Abigail Breslin who also co-starred in Signs and beat out Dakota Fanning for the role of Olive in Little Miss Sunshine) who has more to her than meets the eye. And as Jason works through these twelve gifts in twelve months, he comes to see Red Stevens as more than a deceased billionaire.

James Garner, the well-known actor, plays the mysterious Red Stevens. In the leading male role is Drew Fuller, the well-known TV image of the WB's long-running series Charmed. Drew called performing in the movie "an actor's dream." 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).

In the March 12th issue of Forbes, Alan Farnham commented: "Having had an advance screening, we can tell you authoritatively that you've never seen a picture like it. Take It's a Wonderful Life, add The Heiress, put in a pinch of The Millionaire (a 1931 goodie with George Arliss) and you're starting to get warm. Starring James Garner, it's a witty, winning explication of how--as today's financial planners like to say--you can 'leave your legacy' successfully.""

In the March 9th issue of The New York Times, Jeannette Catsoulis said "Reeking of self-righteousness and moral reprimand, [the movie] is a hairball of good-for-you filmmaking coughed up by 20th Century Fox.... If the goal is to attract Christian dollars to the multiplex, perhaps insulting the artistic sensibilities of their owners is not the best way to go. .... [T]he movie’s messages — pro-poverty, anti-abortion — are methodically hammered home."

On Rotten Tomatoes, The Ultimate Gift has a 33% overall approval (16 fresh reviews out of 48 overall reviews) from critics, and on Metacritic, the film has a rating of 51 based on 11 reviews.

Gerarld Wright of rottentomatoes.com and blogcritics.org reviewed the movie in glowing terms, calling the acting "outstanding," and Abigail Breslin's performance "exceptional." The film reviewer added that "James Garner claims that this will be his final film, and if this true, he will leave with an outstanding exit."

John Anderson of Newsday called the movie "cartoonish and broad," "directed hamhandedly," and concluded "That worldly possessions are such an obsession of 'The Ultimate Gift' -- and such a consistent reward for good character -- is a bit strange in such an ostensibly Christian film .... But such is theology in the age of Enron."

filmcritic.com gave the movie 3 out of 5 stars.

The Hollywood Reporter review commented that "It’s a pleasure to watch such old pros as Garner and Dennehy work their magic . . . and Breslin brings such charm to her role that it more than justifies her position as one of Oscar’s youngest nominees."

Christianity Today gave the film 2.5 out of 4 stars, and called it "lovingly crafted ... but never manages to build up much mystery, suspense, tension, or narrative steam."

The Beacon Times called The Ultimate Gift a "winner . . . could be described as a spiritual training film."

Variety magazine said "The indie production has a professional polish comparable to that of far pricier pics."

The Washington Post wrote the director "too often succumbs to movie-of-the-week sentimentality and starchy pacing." She comments, however, that Breslin's performance is "captivating ... even in weird scarlet lipstick and a gloomy black cloche, she radiates warmth and a spiky, unforced spontaneity."

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

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 example of the pre-screenings will take place 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.

The movie was financed with $14 million from the Stanford Financial Group, a wealth management firm based in Houston. According to Forbes, "The firm liked the movie's message, as well as its potential for use as a marketing tool. Stanford has been showing the movie to prospective clients at private screenings." According to an executive of the firm, "We've tracked a good bit of multimillion-dollar relationships that have come to us because of them.