Get this ‘Gift’

By Nicholas Rader
Richwood High School

“The Ultimate Gift” wasn’t received well in theaters, but it is a wonderful movie that’s worth watching. Based on the book of the same name by Jim Stovall, the movie stars James Garner (“The Notebook”), Drew Fuller (TV’s “Charmed,” “Army Wives”) and Abigail Breslin (“Little Miss Sunshine”).

Along with “Monsters, Inc.” and “Raise Your Voice,” “The Ultimate Gift” rounds out my top three favorite movies.

The title comes from a gift Jason’s grandfather has left Jason in his will. Jason (Fuller) expects money because his grandfather (Garner) was rich. Instead, his grandfather has created 12 tasks - with 12 different lessons for the spoiled Jason to learn - that must be completed for Jason to get his gift.

While working on these assignments, Jason meets Emily (Breslin), who seems happy and healthy but is actually very ill. Her mother, Alexia (Ali Hillis), is doing her best to give Emily a good life, but she is $1,600 in debt, and the doctors’ bills just keep adding up.

Jason’s time with Emily and Alexia starts to change him for the better, and he begins to fall in love with Alexia. But their relationship is thrown into question when Jason must go overseas for another of his tasks.

The DVD, which was released about a month ago, includes one behind-the-scenes featurette and two music videos. The featurette is interesting because you learn a lot about the making of the movie.

For instance, Fuller, said that this was his most challenging role to date. Also, everyone praised director Michael O. Sajbel for giving them the freedom to act how they wanted. Breslin said she liked that he treated her like an actress not a child.

This is a great movie with great actors. I think Breslin is going to be the next Dakota Fanning because I think Fanning is beginning to fade.

“The Ultimate Gift” is a movie you can watch with your family, and you can learn several lessons from it. Be sure to watch the credits to see what all of the gifts are because some of them aren’t so obvious.