The Ultimate Gift (PG)

Spoiled, vapid rich boy gets religion.

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Common Sense rates it
2
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Movie details
  • Studio: Fox Faith, Fox Faith
  • Directed By: Michael Sajbel
  • Cast: Bill Cobbs, Drew Fuller, Abigail Breslin
  • Running Time: 114 minutes
  • Release Date: 03/09/2007
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 08/21/2007
  • Genre: Drama
  • MPAA Rating: PG
  • MPAA Explanation: thematic elements, some violence and language.

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this faith-based indie drama features some bad behavior from its hero, including smoking, drinking, and casual sex (the last takes place off screen but is insinuated). He's arrested for breaking in to his ex-girlfriend's estate; when he's broke, he commits other minor crimes (panhandling, stealing, selling stolen goods). A grandfather dies of old age off-screen; his funeral is shown. Jason finds a crashed plane in Ecuador; while he's there, drug-dealing villains beat, imprison, chase, and shoot at him and his guide.

Families can talk about the change in Jason. What is the "ultimate gift" his grandfather teaches him? How do the various secondary characters -- his materialistic mother, the "bum" who steals in the park, the "amigo" in Ecuador -- help Jason learn his lesson? How does Emily provide Jason with a model for good behavior? Is it obvious that this movie has faith-based messages? Why or why not?

Message

Social Behavior:

Jason is sullen and selfish (and prone to some petty crimes) until he learns the value of the lessons his grandfather teaches and turns nice; Ecuadorian drug dealers and others are subject to stereotypes. A bum steals in the park. Emily uses the "L" (loser) sign to disrespect Jason.

Consumerism:

Sprite, Lacoste.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Jason drinks at a bar and smokes cigarettes before he learns his lessons; Jason is beaten and imprisoned by drug dealers in Ecuador.

Violence

Gus uses a cattle prod to jolt Jason awake; discussion of Jason's father's death in a plane crash (a visit to the crash site makes Jason sad); Jason and "Amigo" are kidnapped by drug dealers, beaten, and imprisoned; villains shoot at and chase Jason; he clobbers a guard to escape.

Sex

Hero's first girlfriend wears tight outfits, shows mild cleavage, and appears through a bedroom window embracing a new boyfriend; mild flirting and kissing between hero and new girlfriend; Jason's mother answers the front door in her nightgown, suggesting that her boyfriend is inside.

Language

One use of "BS" as initials; obnoxious phrases ("screw you," "shut up").

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Cynthia Fuchs

THE ULTIMATE GIFT follows the travails of 24-year-old Jason (Drew Fuller), a selfish trust-fund kid who arrives late for his grandfather Red(James Garner),'s funeral, then complains at the reading of his videotaped the will. Obviously, he has lots of lessons to learn. Red dangles a prize before his wastrel grandson, saying that if he does as he's told, he'll eventually possess "the ultimate gift." En route, Jason meets a series of helpful folks, including Gus (Brian Dennehy), a rancher who has Jason set a lot of fence posts so that he can experience the rewards of manual labor. Back in the city, Jason learns that he's now out of credit. His spoiled, money-hungry girlfriend replaces him, he argues with a bum (Tom Conder), and he meets adorable 10-year-old mini-Goth girl Emily (Abigail Breslin), who, along with her mother, teach Jason his greatest lessons. Jason ends up taking a detour to seek out his father's legacy (he died doing good work in Ecuador). He encounters a squad of gun-toting Ecuadorian drug dealers who beat and imprison him; but again he learns a lesson, doing the right thing by his nameless guide, who's also abused by the thugs. Jason's "gift," at last, has to do with giving to others.

Is it any good?

2
Thank goodness for Bill Cobbs. As Hamilton, the wise, infinitely patient lawyer in THE ULTIMATE GIFT, he provides welcome respite from the movie's sentimental, predictable action. Nuanced and detailed, his performance is the film's only convincing element. Too bad Hamilton is just a supporting character. The film’s insistence on stereotypes is evident in the introduction of violent Ecuadorian drug dealers.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 11 reviews.

5


Posted on 06/15/08 by expert_reviewer Kid contributor, age 13

Very Very Very Good Movie

It's about a spoiled young adult that learns a lesson. There is alittle kissing and relationship talk. A short shooting scene and arguing. But this is a good movie with a good message in it all family's should see this movie.
Age 8+
4


Posted on 05/27/08 by adairfam Adult contributor

A great movie for anyone

This is a heartwarming story that not only I enjoyed but so did my 11 year old son. A tear jerker with a good message.
5

Posted on 10/28/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

Age 13+
5


Posted on 09/23/07 by powellpeters Adult contributor

great life lessons for kids of all ages

This is a great movie. With all the crime, magic movies, witch and warlock movies it is refreshing to see real life lessons for kids and adults. Very entertaining and good impact. Makes you want better for yourself and others including giving your kids the 12 life lessons. I would buy this movie.
5


Posted on 09/01/07 by MikaylaLovesEdwardCullen Kid contributor, age 12

This is a wonderful, heartwarming movie about not being selfesh and treating eachother with kindness!
4


Posted on 03/18/07 by Movie#1 Kid contributor, age 9

i got teary

Its a really sweet but sad movie. Its sad at the end because the little girl dies. This is a good movie for the family.
0

Posted on 03/15/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 17

Age 8+
5

Posted on 03/13/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Getting to where movies should be!

Their are a few questionable things I think I would have toned down. For the most part this movie was AWESOME! SOOO many movies out these days should be in trash pile. I wish ALL writers, directors, actors and such stand-up and take notice!!!!!! NO MORE TRASH!!!
Age 8+
5

Posted on 03/13/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Age 5+
5


Posted on 03/10/07 by 111 Adult contributor

Life is better when given away. Easily forgotten & new news for many.

Encouraging, challenging, entertaining, heart wrenching… all effectively challenge the thinking of any honest person, to live with eternal perspective, rather than mostly self-indulgence. I wouldn’t call it a “Christian” film, though many offended by its Judeo Christian morals, do call it that. It does not proclaim Christ as savior and King. It does, however, demonstrate, some of the quality of life that often results from living life as frequently according to God’s moral law as possible. A fantastic film, pointing us in a good and meaningful direction.

See all 11 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 6 reviews.

Age 8+
4


Posted on 05/27/08 by adairfam Adult contributor

A great movie for anyone

This is a heartwarming story that not only I enjoyed but so did my 11 year old son. A tear jerker with a good message.
Age 13+
5


Posted on 09/23/07 by powellpeters Adult contributor

great life lessons for kids of all ages

This is a great movie. With all the crime, magic movies, witch and warlock movies it is refreshing to see real life lessons for kids and adults. Very entertaining and good impact. Makes you want better for yourself and others including giving your kids the 12 life lessons. I would buy this movie.
Age 8+
5

Posted on 03/13/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Getting to where movies should be!

Their are a few questionable things I think I would have toned down. For the most part this movie was AWESOME! SOOO many movies out these days should be in trash pile. I wish ALL writers, directors, actors and such stand-up and take notice!!!!!! NO MORE TRASH!!!
Age 8+
5

Posted on 03/13/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Age 5+
5


Posted on 03/10/07 by 111 Adult contributor

Life is better when given away. Easily forgotten & new news for many.

Encouraging, challenging, entertaining, heart wrenching… all effectively challenge the thinking of any honest person, to live with eternal perspective, rather than mostly self-indulgence. I wouldn’t call it a “Christian” film, though many offended by its Judeo Christian morals, do call it that. It does not proclaim Christ as savior and King. It does, however, demonstrate, some of the quality of life that often results from living life as frequently according to God’s moral law as possible. A fantastic film, pointing us in a good and meaningful direction.
Age 8+
5


Posted on 03/10/07 by MacDan2004 Adult contributor

Bring The Tissue

I know many critics "laughed" this movie off as being too "sentimental." But, we need more movies like this. We need more movies with positive and uplifting messages, even in the face of adversity. I liked this movie. The editing was a little rough around the edges but it was still a great story.

Kids Reviews

There are 5 reviews.

5


Posted on 06/15/08 by expert_reviewer Kid contributor, age 13

Very Very Very Good Movie

It's about a spoiled young adult that learns a lesson. There is alittle kissing and relationship talk. A short shooting scene and arguing. But this is a good movie with a good message in it all family's should see this movie.
5

Posted on 10/28/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

5


Posted on 09/01/07 by MikaylaLovesEdwardCullen Kid contributor, age 12

This is a wonderful, heartwarming movie about not being selfesh and treating eachother with kindness!
4


Posted on 03/18/07 by Movie#1 Kid contributor, age 9

i got teary

Its a really sweet but sad movie. Its sad at the end because the little girl dies. This is a good movie for the family.
0

Posted on 03/15/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 17

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