Movie Review: The Ultimate Gift

FILM REVIEW: THE ULTIMATE GIFT

By Louis R. Carlozo

Chicago Tribune Staff Writer

2 stars

When entertainment has a point to make about a life lived well - and such is the case with "The Ultimate Gift" - it's often hard to tell who's getting preached at more severely: the main protagonist in need of reform, or the guy/gal holding the hot buttered popcorn.

And so it is with this latest FoxFaith film, starring James Garner ("The Rockford Files") in the least physically demanding role of his career (and supposedly his last, by the way). As deceased oil tycoon Red Stevens, he's eternally perched in a leather-backed stool speaking via video to his prodigal grandson, Jason (Drew Fuller). Red tells Jason that in order to collect his share of the inheritance - however large or small that may be - he must accept a series of "gifts." Mind you, these are actually tests designed to develop his party-boy character into something resembling manhood.

It won't be easy. At Red's funeral, Jason pulls up in a mustard-colored muscle car, making a big noise. Jason's spoiled mother (Donna Cherry) - seems the whole Stevens clan is filled with spoiled money-grubbers - chides him for being late, causing Jason to deadpan, "For what?"

Oooooh.

For his first hurdle Jason flies to Texas, where he becomes the ranch hand of Red's old friend Gus (Brian Dennehy), a tough-talking cowboy with an obsession for Patsy Cline's "Crazy." Jason goofs off at first, then reluctantly erects fence posts for weeks on end, thinking he'll hit the jackpot. No dice: Red tells him via video that he's just earned the Gift of Hard Work. And so on and so on; next Jason becomes homeless when Red's attorney (Bill Cobbs) yanks back his trust fund - over a swank dinner with his bubble-headed, gold-digging girlfriend, no less.

On one hand, Jason's reform is somewhat believable because it comes in stages. "Ultimate" is also graced with fine performances from some A-list actors; among the best is Abigail Breslin ("Little Miss Sunshine") as Emily, a precocious girl who befriends Jason during his penniless stage.

And the plot, though of the made-for-TV ilk, makes for good discussion fodder if you're trying to impress life's lessons on children or others you love.

That said, be prepared to be hit over the head by the message, edifying as it is. Part of me loves being reminded of the Gifts of Friends, Learning, Laughter and Gratitude, especially in a humble context of Christian faith. But as in Frank Peretti's "Hangman's Curse," garish shafts of light permeate "Ultimate" in all the wrong places - here invading chapel scenes of otherwise bittersweet epiphany. Also, there's an anti-abortion message jammed into one scene with all the subtlety of an avalanche. Just in case you miss it, it's repeated in the credits too. Some gift, eh?

"The Ultimate Gift"

Directed by Michael O. Sajbel; screenplay by David Nicholls, based on a book by Jim Stovall; photographed by Brian Baugh; edited by Scott Chestnut; music by Mark McKenzie and Anthony Short; production design by Stephen Storer; produced by Produced by Paul Brooks, Rick Eldridge, Cleve Landsberg, Dave Ross, John Shepherd and Jim Van Eerden. A FoxFaith release. Running time: 1:57. MPAA rating: PG (thematic elements, some violence and language).

Jason Stevens - Drew Fuller

Red Stevens - James Garner

Alexia - Ali Hillis

Emily - Abigail Breslin

Miss Hastings - Lee Meriwether

Gus - Brian Dennehy