The Ultimate Gift
3/4
Starring: Drew Fuller, Bill Cobbs, Abigail Breslin, Alli Hillis, James Garner, Lee Meriwether, Brian Dennehey
Rated PG for Thematic Elements, Some Violence and Language
In 2004, megastar Mel Gibson released his super hyped, and controversial, film about the final hours of Jesus Christ. The film, though incredibly violent and disturbing (the fact that it got an R rating instead of an NC-17 is appalling), was a massive success. Film studios, always on the lookout for the next genre to bring in money, began to see a new, and almost completely neglected, market: Christian films. While they still are coming out occasionally (in limited release), the market wasn't as large as Hollywood hoped. None of the successive Christian films have come within a mile of Mel Gibson's film. In general, I kind of stay away from them because I expect to be preached to (although I liked "Hardflip"). But "The Ultimate Gift," based on Jim Stovall's best-selling novel, works. It's actually really good.
Jason (Stevens) is a spoiled brat in a $2000 suit. He's vain, superficial, and an all around jerk. When his grandfather, wealthy businessman Red (Garner), dies, Jason expects to get a sizable inheritance so he can live the high life while contributing absolutely nothing of value to society. His inheritance isn't what he suspects. After dishing out a giant middle finger to his equally spoiled relatives, Red offers Jason a series of gifts that he has to complete in order to receive "The Ultimate Gift." Jason doesn't like the idea, but he does it anyway so he can get his cash. Naturally, things don't turn out the way he expects.
We've seen this story so many times before (like in "Real Steel" with Hugh Jackman) that we know all the beats: a vain egomaniac loses everything, meets someone who shows him the error of his ways, and through hard work becomes a better person. The formula is rock solid, and "The Ultimate Gift" doesn't stray from it much. What makes it work is the performances.
Drew Fuller, an actor I haven't seen before, is terrific as Jason. Fuller's role is difficult; he must be a big enough asshole for us to see that he needs redemption, but not so much that we wish he would get hit by a bus no matter how saintly he becomes (this is where "Ghost World" went horribly wrong). Also, he can't be sickeningly sweet at the end. Despite its frequent appearance, this is a relatively difficult line to bridge, and Fuller does an excellent job. Abigail Breslin is saddled with a cliche and melodramatic character, but the actress's energy and life make her spunky and adorable. Bill Cobbs is wise and Lee Meriwether (best known for playing Catwoman with Adam West's Batman) is dutiful, but superfluous. The weak link is Alli Hillis; she's not bad, but comes across as stiff and un-charismatic next to her co-stars.
Michael O. Sajbel resists the urge to get overly sentimental. Nothing is worse for a movie, particularly one that wants to send a message, to turn preachy. With a few minor slips, Sajbel stays on the right side of the line. The film is not masterpiece (sometimes the budget's limitations are obvious), but the film is consistently well-acted, Jason's character arc is effectively presented, and there are times when the film is genuinely moving and funny (Emily, Breslin's character, always has a clever quip for every occasion).
I enjoyed this movie. A lot more than I thought I would.
Starring: Drew Fuller, Bill Cobbs, Abigail Breslin, Alli Hillis, James Garner, Lee Meriwether, Brian Dennehey
Rated PG for Thematic Elements, Some Violence and Language
In 2004, megastar Mel Gibson released his super hyped, and controversial, film about the final hours of Jesus Christ. The film, though incredibly violent and disturbing (the fact that it got an R rating instead of an NC-17 is appalling), was a massive success. Film studios, always on the lookout for the next genre to bring in money, began to see a new, and almost completely neglected, market: Christian films. While they still are coming out occasionally (in limited release), the market wasn't as large as Hollywood hoped. None of the successive Christian films have come within a mile of Mel Gibson's film. In general, I kind of stay away from them because I expect to be preached to (although I liked "Hardflip"). But "The Ultimate Gift," based on Jim Stovall's best-selling novel, works. It's actually really good.
Jason (Stevens) is a spoiled brat in a $2000 suit. He's vain, superficial, and an all around jerk. When his grandfather, wealthy businessman Red (Garner), dies, Jason expects to get a sizable inheritance so he can live the high life while contributing absolutely nothing of value to society. His inheritance isn't what he suspects. After dishing out a giant middle finger to his equally spoiled relatives, Red offers Jason a series of gifts that he has to complete in order to receive "The Ultimate Gift." Jason doesn't like the idea, but he does it anyway so he can get his cash. Naturally, things don't turn out the way he expects.
We've seen this story so many times before (like in "Real Steel" with Hugh Jackman) that we know all the beats: a vain egomaniac loses everything, meets someone who shows him the error of his ways, and through hard work becomes a better person. The formula is rock solid, and "The Ultimate Gift" doesn't stray from it much. What makes it work is the performances.
Drew Fuller, an actor I haven't seen before, is terrific as Jason. Fuller's role is difficult; he must be a big enough asshole for us to see that he needs redemption, but not so much that we wish he would get hit by a bus no matter how saintly he becomes (this is where "Ghost World" went horribly wrong). Also, he can't be sickeningly sweet at the end. Despite its frequent appearance, this is a relatively difficult line to bridge, and Fuller does an excellent job. Abigail Breslin is saddled with a cliche and melodramatic character, but the actress's energy and life make her spunky and adorable. Bill Cobbs is wise and Lee Meriwether (best known for playing Catwoman with Adam West's Batman) is dutiful, but superfluous. The weak link is Alli Hillis; she's not bad, but comes across as stiff and un-charismatic next to her co-stars.
Michael O. Sajbel resists the urge to get overly sentimental. Nothing is worse for a movie, particularly one that wants to send a message, to turn preachy. With a few minor slips, Sajbel stays on the right side of the line. The film is not masterpiece (sometimes the budget's limitations are obvious), but the film is consistently well-acted, Jason's character arc is effectively presented, and there are times when the film is genuinely moving and funny (Emily, Breslin's character, always has a clever quip for every occasion).
I enjoyed this movie. A lot more than I thought I would.
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