Who is Drew Fuller

The Ultimate Gift

Although I often dislike "message films" I found this one to be inspirational, educational, practical, and even spiritual to some degree.

Amazon and JP's Picks in the Spotlight Reviews have done a fine job at discussing the plot of this, so I'll dispense with that here in my review. I found this to be a rather profound film that discusses the connection between wealth and happiness. The film is faulty in that it is pretty much preaching to the choir as most of us know that money in of itself does not bring happiness. Just ask Lindsey Lohan and Brittany Spears for the truth in that. However, it is the journey of the main character to discover that truth that is touching if not improbable at times. This film, in spite of its beautiful message, is not without its flaws.

The coincidences and contrivances within the plot are rather annoying but fortunately forgivable. For example, we get ludicrous scenes like the one in which the main character becomes a kidnap victim of a drug lord while doing "community work" in Peru as part of his numerous "gifts." This was supposed to be a lesson in learning and giving, but ultimately (and conveniently) teaches him the value of human life. However, the scene is rather silly and improbable and serves as a great distraction from the film's greater message. It just doesn't fit the film and looks like a scene from another film and a needless stretch. This is all rather forgivable though as the main character continues his journey in learning what is really important in life.

The various "gifts" that he learns serve as a wonderful teaching tool if you watch this with your family. I often would stop it and ask my kids what "gift" is he receiving at a given point in the film. The ending replays the various gifts just in case you missed any, so don't shut it off at the credits.

Some of the acting is spot on and some of it less so. This film was a wonderful return for Brian Dennihey[sp] who has been absent from the screen for far too long. James Garner is wonderfully insightful in his limited role. He is as funny, sarcastic and tired of life's crap as he was in his series The Rockford Files, and tender and emotional in a way we don't often see him on film. Drew Fuller as the main star is just okay. He plays the role fairly well, but it seems to be no great stretch for him. It's the kind of role Michael J. Fox would have played on a Hallmark Hall of Fame TV-movie in his early career. Ali Hillis is both wonderfully beautiful in that girl-next-door kind of way and very talented as she gives a solid performance here as the mother of a cancer-stricken child played by Abigail Breslin (Signs and Little Miss Sunshine) who actually does not give us one of her better performances. I honestly felt she was over acting a number of times, but to be fair, her role was not that well written. Bill Cobbs and Lee Meriweather lend fine support as the trustees of Garner's Will and lend much needed credibility to the film.

This film is both profound and simple, touching and overly sentimental, nicely acted and too pedestrian at times, well-intentioned and manipulative, and, lastly, predictable and happy to be so. In spite of it's flaws the film is very enjoyable and heart-warming. I intentionally noted the flaws as when I recommend a film, I do like to be honest and not fool folks in thinking that a four or five star film is perfect and this one isn't by a long shot, but it is a still wonderful experience in spite of its flaws and well worth your viewing. -- Steven Hedge "Hedge's Highlights" (Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA)

Release Date: 08/21/2007

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Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 01/04/2010)
List Price: $14.98

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