The Ultimate Gift
| The Ultimate Gift | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Michael O. Sajbel |
| Produced by | Rick Eldridge Jim Van Eerden |
| Written by |
Novel: Jim Stovall Screenplay: Cheryl McKay |
| Starring |
Drew Fuller Bill Cobbs Abigail Breslin Brian Dennehy James Garner |
| Music by | Mark McKenzie |
| Cinematography | Brian Baugh |
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Production
company |
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| Distributed by |
20th Century Fox Porchlight Entertainment |
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Running time
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117 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $9 million |
| Box office | $3,438,735 |
The Ultimate Gift is a 2006 American drama film directed by Michael O. Sajbel from a screenplay written by Cheryl McKay, which is in turn based on the best selling novel by Jim Stovall who based the book on real events that occurred after the passing of industrialist farmer Dewey H. Ward.
It stars Drew Fuller, Bill Cobbs, Abigail Breslin, Brian Dennehy, and James Garner, and was released on March 9, 2007 in the United States and Canada. The film's DVD sales were quite high in relation to its theatrical receipts and it continues to be a success in DVD sales and on television. A sequel titled The Ultimate Life was released in 2013.
When his rich grandfather, Howard "Red" Stevens (James Garner), dies, Jason (Drew Fuller) does not expect to inherit anything from his multi-billion-dollar estate. He strongly resents his grandfather because his father had died while working for him. There is an inheritance, in fact, but it comes with a condition: Jason must complete 12 separate assignments within a year in order to get it. Each assignment is centered around a "gift". Gifts of work, money, friends and learning are among the dozen that Jason must perform before he is eligible for the mysterious "Ultimate Gift" his grandfather's will has for him. Red's attorney and friend, Mr. Hamilton (Bill Cobbs), and his secretary, Miss Hastings (Lee Meriwether), attempt to guide Jason along the path his grandfather wishes him to travel.
On his return after completing the first task, everything he values is suddenly taken away from him – luxury apartment, his restored muscle car, and all his money – and he is left homeless. His trendy girlfriend, Caitlin (Mircea Monroe), ditches him when his credit card is rejected at a fancy restaurant. After his mother (Donna Cherry) tells him she cannot help him, as part of the agreement, he miserably wanders the city alone. While sleeping in a park, he encounters a woman, Alexia (Ali Hillis), and her outspoken daughter, Emily (Abigail Breslin). Jason befriends the two, and then asks them to go to the attorney's office and confirm themselves as his "true friends" in order to pass his assignment, but afterwards Jason walks away and ignores Emily's request to see him again. However, Jason accidentally discovers that Emily is suffering from leukemia, and sees a chance to develop a strong bond with someone.
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Wikipedia