The Ultimate Gift
Summary
The Ultimate Gift is a 2006 movie starring Drew Fuller based on the novel by Jim Stovall. In this story, a spoiled grandson must navigate a series of odd tasks in order to receive his inheritance from his grandfather.
Assessment
The Ultimate Gift is a well-made and excellently adapted movie based on the novel of the same name by Jim Stovall. The story is engaging without being overbearing, with excellent messages of forgiveness, repentance, and personal growth shown by the characters. It is in many ways heartwarming, but without being overly emotional or New Age in its thinking (no “just follow your heart”; in fact, the message is quite the opposite).
For cleanliness, there may be some cussing, but it is few and far between. There is also implied premarital sex, but there is no actual sex scene or nudity. Most of it is related to the main character’s party animal past, which he quite obviously repents of through the course of the movie. It is safe to say that the movie is not endorsing such a lifestyle, but is encouraging a more stable, committed kind of relationship. There is also some peril with a band of South American guerrillas, but it avoids being too bloody or grotesque.
Light-o-Meter
Writing: 6 out of 7 Little Lights
Filmmaking: 6 out of 7 Little Lights
Acting: 5 out of 7 Little Lights
Cleanliness: 6 out of 7 Little Lights
Theological Message: 5 out of 7 Little Lights
Overall: 6 out of 7 Little Lights
Talk
This, honestly, is probably one of the most subtly high-quality movies I have seen in a long time. It isn’t flashy with a super famous director or all the A-list actors in the world, but the effort and diligence that went into its writing, directing, and acting is incredibly apparent. The writing is solid and cohesive (especially for having been adapted from a novel), the directing and cinematography are high-quality without being overly artistic or flashy, and the acting feels very natural and human.
I actually struggled to pick a favorite character to focus on in this story, but I think it might be Jason (which is weird, very rarely is the main character my favorite). Not only does he have a rich character arc to get him from spoiled, hurt brat to a real man, but he’s sometimes quick to embrace the journey. Sure, there are moments where he throws a tantrum over the hurdles his grandfather’s will is making him jump over, but after his situation sinks in, he accepts it and the lesson it comes with. His arc isn’t linear, there are times he falls back onto his old ways, but it is evident that Jason truly wants to change and he goes for it.
On a slightly more personal note: I miss this era of movie. I miss the “New York City in the fall” kind of aesthetic (regardless of genre), where you had the balance of the concrete jungle with this abstract element of confidence. Characters stood upright in self-respect, they were typically more diligent and often didn’t cause drama just for drama’s sake — or, if they did cause drama, it was usually squashed by the people around them. Not every story was this gritty, agonizingly artistic, drama-filled, over-produced mess; a lot of times it was just a good story with a simple backdrop. This movie is incredibly refreshing after watching so much dark, dramatic modern media.
Wrap-up
The Ultimate Gift (2006) is a movie adaptation of Jim Stovall’s novel of the same name. This high-quality movie about redemption, repentance, responsibility, and forgiveness, messages it conveys with deft expertise.
Also, as a bonus, it’s kind of a great Christmas movie!
Where to Enjoy
Amazon: Watch The Ultimate Gift | Prime Video
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