The Ultimate Gift parents guide

The Ultimate Gift Parent Guide

For parents and teens, these life-altering changes may spark discussions on the value of the twelve gifts this grandfather wishes to impart.

Overall A-

Jason Stevens (Drew Fuller) thought his future was secure. All he had to do was wait for his wealthy Grandfather (James Garner) to die and then spend the inheritance. Unfortunately, Grandpa has another plan in mind--one that involves a series of character-building tests to find out if he is worthy of the rich legacy.

Release date March 9, 2007

Violence C+
Sexual Content B
Profanity B
Substance Use C+

Why is The Ultimate Gift rated PG? The MPAA rated The Ultimate Gift PG for thematic elements, some violence and language.

Run Time: 114 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

Given a chance to pass on the ultimate gift to your progeny, what would it be? Money, prominence, property, status? Upon his death, Red Steven’s (James Garner) family is anxious to see what the billionaire has left each of them. But at the reading of his will, the roomful of ingrates is sorely disappointed, even with their lavish estates, ranches and company holdings. In the end, they all wanted more.

But none of the beneficiaries is more surprised than Jason (Drew Fuller), Red’s carousing grandson. Expecting a wad of cold, hard cash to continue his extravagant lifestyle with, the sullen and spoiled young man is instead shown a sealed box. From it, his grandfather’s business partner, Ted Hamilton (Bill Cobbs), takes a single disc and plays a pre-recorded message where Red challenges Jason to complete a series of tests that will lead to the eventual bestowal of an ultimate gift. Initially, the overindulged youth isn’t interested in doing anything that requires effort on his part, but finally his pampered girlfriend (Mircea Monroe) badgers him into taking on the experiment.

Luckily, Ted and his assistant, Miss Hastings (Lee Meriwether), are uncommonly patient with the boy who regularly balks at the difficult tasks meant to give him an intrinsic appreciation for things like love, problem-solving, gratitude and hard work.

Accustomed to having every wish granted on a silver tray, Jason is angry when he finds himself setting fence posts on an expansive cattle ranch in Texas—especially after being nudged out of bed with a zap from a cattle prod. From there he traverses the world to the dense, jungle forests of Ecuador. Along the way, he encounters South American drug lords who roughly throw him in a makeshift prison and threaten to shoot him and his guide. Later, back in America, the lessons continue as he meets a homeless man in the city park and a young mother (Ali Hillis) with a precocious daughter named Emily (Abigail Breslin) who is wise beyond her years.

Although slow at times, Jason’s transformation from self-centered youth to a mature, caring adult begins to unfold. For parents and teens, these life-altering changes may spark discussions on the value of the twelve gifts Red wishes to impart. And while not everyone has the funds needed to orchestrate these types of exceptional experiences, hopefully, the film will inspire parents and grandparents to consider what contributions they can ultimately pass on to the next generation.

Directed by Michael O. Sajbel. Starring Drew Fuller, James Garner, Abigail Breslin. Running time: 114 minutes. Theatrical release March 9, 2007. Updated

The Ultimate Gift
Rating & Content Info

Why is The Ultimate Gift rated PG? The Ultimate Gift is rated PG by the MPAA for thematic elements, some violence and language.

More interested in having a good time than doing something good, Jason enjoys smoking, drinking and partying with friends—illegal drug use is discussed but not shown. When actually given a chance to work, he has to be urged out of bed with the help of an electric cattle prod. Later, gun-toting criminals capture several men and threaten to kill them. Some bloody injuries are seen and the sounds of a man being beaten are heard. Alcohol consumption, sometimes to the point of drunkenness, is depicted at parties, festivals and family dinners. Although only kissing is seen, Jason’s premarital sexual activity is alluded to and one woman confesses to having a baby out of wedlock. Three uses of a moderate profanity are used.

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The Ultimate Gift Parents' Guide

Who is responsible for Jason’s self-absorbed attitude? What part did the adults in his life have in indulging him? In what ways is he personally accountable? Why does his grandfather give Jason the ultimate gift challenge?

How does Emily’s situation make her appreciate life? What does Jason learn from her? Do you think his changed attitude will be permanent?

The film is based on a book by John Stovall, which has inspired a movement of change. A facilitator’s guide for parents, youth leaders and educators has been developed to go along with the movie and book. For a free download of The Ultimate Gift activity-based guide, designed for 12 to 18-year-olds, visit: http://www.youthfilmproject.org/documents/TheUltimateGiftActivityGuide.pdf .

Home Video

The most recent home video release of The Ultimate Gift movie is November 15, 2011. Here are some details…

Blu-ray Notes: The Ultimate Gift

Blu-ray release Date: 15 November 2011

The Ultimate Gift releases to Blu-ray with the following bonus extras:

- Behind-the-Scenes Featurette

- Leave a Legacy

- Live the Ultimate Gift

- Music videos

DVD Notes: The Ultimate Gift

DVD release Date: 17 August 2007

The Ultimate Gift comes to DVD with the ultimate collection of bonus extras. These include an introduction by Jim Stovall (the source writer), two featurettes (Behind the Scenes of The Ultimate Gift and Live The Ultimate Gift), theatrical trailers and music videos (Something Changed and Legacy). There is also a sneak peak of The Redemption of Sarah Cain.Audio tracks are available in Dolby Digital 5.1 (English), with subtitles in English and Spanish.

Related home video titles:

In the movie River’s End, a troubled teenaged boy is sent on a redemptive trip meant to help him overcome his problematic past. A young mother, hooked on drugs and alcohol, is sent to live with her uncle in hopes of getting her life back on track in the film Down in the Delta.

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