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“The Ultimate Gift”
Fox Faith
117 minutes
Grade = B+
This film didn’t do well at the box office, perhaps due to a lack of marketing, but it has received new life and caught fire with its release on DVD.
While I am a strong believer in the First Amendment, I’ve grown tired of soul-less media. Just recently I heard a TV executive coyly claim that his network’s promotional campaign (OMFG) for its trashy, narcissist teen drama was merely “a bunch of letters” and not a text message. Sure.
Therefore, when reasonably produced media with Christian themes comes along, I think it’s important that Christians support such efforts. “The Ultimate Gift” has been receiving many many positive comments on sites such as Amazon.com.
This movie has a stellar cast, including Abigail Breslin, James Garner (a fave of mine), Brian Dennehy and Lee Meriwether. It’s based on the novel by Jim Stovall. I’m going to recommend this film to both my church’s Youth Director and movie-viewing group.
It is well-directed by Michael O. Sajbel, who, FYI, happens to be a former student of my Dad’s and also directed “One Night With the King.”
Some of the themes here make excellent discussion topics, such as “What’s your idea of the ‘perfect day?’” Ultimately, “The Ultimate Gift” is about redemption and forgiveness; living life the right way, not your way. I did appreciate the subtle pro-life message. Stewardship is another big theme.
Cinematic adaptations of books are tough. I have not read the book; I did get momentarily lost trying to keep up with all of the characters here. Also, I cannot relate to the level of wealth depicted in this movie.
Even with those shortcomings, my two children (20 and 16 years-old), whose tastes run toward action-adventure and sci-fi, enjoyed this film. Impressive.
For an interesting interview with director Michael O. Sajbel, head over to Christian cinema and search his name on the site.
- Rob S.