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Part of the problem is the editing. Some sequences are downright confusing. Others are maddeningly lazy—just when a scene should be reaching its climax, the camera cuts away and we get a frustrating tell-don't-show dialogue summary from some other location. But a deeper issue with the film is the inevitably clichéd aspects of the story. In a world where there are over 105 titles in print of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books, and hundreds more This-Story-Really-Made-Me-Think-About-The-Meaning-of-Life e-mails racing through cyberspace, the makers of The Ultimate Gift face a nearly impossible task trying to bring something new to the table. Unfortunately, for what they lack in innovation, they seem to make up for with exaggeration. Jason's family members aren't just greedy, they're reprehensible. Emily isn't just a refreshingly honest, wise and innocent child, she's an honest, wise and innocent child dying of leukemia. Even Jason's ultimate reward smacks of over-earnest hyperbole.

James Garner as Red Stevens

Music is a strength in The Ultimate Gift. Although Mark McKenzie's score is a touch pedestrian, some well-chosen songs are bright spots in the film, including Bob Dylan's Gotta Serve Somebody, the repeated use of Patsy Cline's Crazy, and the lovely surprise of Sara Groves' warm vocals beneath the film's final scenes. Sadly, though, it was a paraphrase of an old Lyle Lovett song that kept running through my head: It wasn't good, but it had good intentions. But that's not an entirely fair assessment. There are good moments in The Ultimate Gift, and the filmmakers are to be commended for tackling themes that are as essential to explore as they are tricky to do.

I don't know why it is so difficult to convey overtly faith-based, inspiring themes in film (or any other art form), but it sure is. I hope Sajbel, McKay and FoxFaith keep trying.  Maybe they could add the Gift of Perseverance to Red Stevens' list.

Talk About It

1. One of the gifts Red wanted to give Jason was the gift of problems. Do you believe in the "gift of problems"? (See James 1:2-4) Is perceiving problems as good—even essential—sentimentality or truth?
2. Another gift Jason received with the gift of "a day." Have you ever had a perfect day? What was it like? If not, what would it be like?
3. You've probably heard that there are over 2350 Bible verses about money—twice as many as verses as there are about faith and prayer combined. Why do you think the Bible emphasizes this subject so strongly? Is it possible to be very wealthy and also be focused on eternal things? What are the pros and cons of wealth? What are the pros and cons of the absence of wealth? Of poverty?
4. Red wanted Jason to have a dream. Do you have a dream? Should every human have one? Should every dream be followed? How do you discern?

The Family Corner

The Ultimate Gift is rated PG for thematic elements, some violence and language. There is one scene of peril involving gunfire, likely to disturb only young children. Although the content is suitable for family viewing, the pace and themes of the movie may lend themselves to an older audience.

Photos © Copyright FoxFaith

© Carolyn Arends subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

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