MOVIEmeter
Top 5000
Down 110 this week

The Ultimate Gift (2006)

 -  Drama | Family  -  20 October 2006 (USA)
7.2
Your rating:
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 -/10 X  
Ratings: 7.2/10 from 9,527 users   Metascore: 49/100
Reviews: 73 user | 40 critic | 16 from Metacritic.com

Jason thought his inheritance was going to be the gift of money and lots of it. Was he ever in for a big surprise. Based on the best-selling book "The Ultimate Gift" by Jim Stovall, the ... See full summary »

Director:

Writers:

(screenplay), (book)
Watch Trailer
0Check in
0Share...

User Lists

Related lists from IMDb users

a list of 106 titles created 6 months ago
 
a list of 10000 titles created 2 months ago
 
a list of 40 titles created 11 months ago
 
a list of 51 titles created 09 Jan 2011
 
a list of 10 titles created 02 Apr 2012
 

Connect with IMDb


Share this Rating

Title: The Ultimate Gift (2006)

The Ultimate Gift (2006) on IMDb 7.2/10

Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.

Take The Quiz!

Test your knowledge of The Ultimate Gift.
3 wins. See more awards »

Videos

Photos

Learn more

People who liked this also liked... 

Seven Pounds (2008)
Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.5/10 X  

A man with a fateful secret embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers.

Director: Gabriele Muccino
Stars: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson
The Help (2011)
Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8/10 X  

An aspiring author during the civil rights movement of the 1960s decides to write a book detailing the African-American maids' point of view on the white families for which they work, and the hardships they go through on a daily basis.

Director: Tate Taylor
Stars: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard
Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.3/10 X  

Anna Fitzgerald looks to earn medical emancipation from her parents who until now have relied on their youngest child to help their leukemia-stricken daughter Kate remain alive.

Director: Nick Cassavetes
Stars: Abigail Breslin, Walter Raney, Cameron Diaz
Gran Torino (2008)
Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.2/10 X  

Disgruntled Korean War vet Walt Kowalski sets out to reform his neighbor, a young Hmong teenager, who tried to steal Kowalski's prized possession: his 1972 Gran Torino.

Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Christopher Carley, Bee Vang
Crime | Drama | Thriller
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.3/10 X  

A sleazy defense attorney has a crisis of conscience when he represents a wealthy client who has a foolproof plan to beat the system.

Director: Brad Furman
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe
Reign Over Me (2007)
Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.5/10 X  

A man who lost his family in the September 11 attack on New York City runs into his old college roommate. Rekindling the friendship is the one thing that appears able to help the man recover from his grief.

Director: Mike Binder
Stars: Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett Smith
Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.2/10 X  

Katniss Everdeen voluntarily takes her younger sister's place in the Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death in which two teenagers from each of the twelve Districts of Panem are chosen at random to compete.

Director: Gary Ross
Stars: Stanley Tucci, Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth
Drama | Romance
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.9/10 X  

A veterinary student abandons his studies after his parents are killed and joins a traveling circus as their vet.

Director: Francis Lawrence
Stars: Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz
Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.2/10 X  

Will Hunting, a janitor at MIT, has a gift for mathematics but needs help from a psychologist to find direction in his life.

Director: Gus Van Sant
Stars: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck
Drama | Romance
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.1/10 X  

An introvert freshman is taken under the wings of two seniors who welcome him to the real world.

Director: Stephen Chbosky
Stars: Logan Lerman, Ezra Miller, Paul Rudd
The Way Back I (2010)
Adventure | Drama | History
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.3/10 X  

Siberian gulag escapees walk 4000 miles overland to freedom in India.

Director: Peter Weir
Stars: Colin Farrell, Mark Strong, Jim Sturgess
Drama
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.2/10 X  

An idealistic staffer for a new presidential candidate gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail.

Director: George Clooney
Stars: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Mr. Theophilus Hamilton
...
Miss Hastings
George Lee ...
Pastor (as George Lee Masters)
...
Bill Stevens
...
Jack Stevens
...
...
Alexia
...
Jason Stevens
...
Caitlin
...
Sarah Stevens
...
Ruth Stevens
...
Bill's Lawyer
...
Jack's Lawyer
Alecia Brady Curcuru ...
Bill's Wife
Edit

Storyline

Jason thought his inheritance was going to be the gift of money and lots of it. Was he ever in for a big surprise. Based on the best-selling book "The Ultimate Gift" by Jim Stovall, the story sends trust fund baby Jason Stevens on an improbable journey of discovery, having to answer the ultimate question: "What is the relationship between wealth and happiness?" Jason had a very simple relationship with his impossibly wealthy Grandfather, Howard "Red" Stevens. He hated him. No heart-to-heart talks, no warm fuzzies, just cold hard cash. So of course he figured that when Red died, the whole "reading of the will" thing would be another simple cash transaction, that his Grandfather's money would allow him to continue living in the lifestyle to which he had become accustomed. But what Red left him was anything but simple. Red instead devised a plan for Jason to experience a crash course on life. Twelve tasks, which Red calls "gifts," each challenging Jason in an improbable way, the ... Written by Sajbel, Michael O.

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

A life experience becomes a gift. See more »

Genres:

Drama | Family

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements, some violence and language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
Edit

Details

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

20 October 2006 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

12 podmienok dedicstva  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$1,241,079 (USA) (9 March 2007)

Gross:

$3,420,871 (USA) (11 May 2007)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

| |

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

Author Jim Stovall makes a cameo appearance in the move as a limousine driver. The interesting thing about this is that Jim Stovall is blind. See more »

Goofs

When Jason is kicked out of first class and back into seat 32B in coach he is sitting in an "E" seat. See more »

Quotes

Ted Hamilton: So are you Jason's friend?
Emily: Yes. I am.
Ted Hamilton: True friend?
Emily: Absolutely. Pinkie promise
Ted Hamilton: So how long have you know Mr. Stevens?
Emily: We go way back, we're like this
[crossing fingers]
Emily: now where do i sign?
Ted Hamilton: And, um, he hasn't promised you and compensation for this friendship?
Emily: Look at him, does he look like he has anything to offer?
[...]
See more »

Connections

Followed by The Ultimate Life (2013) See more »

Soundtracks

"The Thrill is Gone"
Written by Rick Darnell and Roy Hawkins
Performed by B.B. King
Courtesy of Geffen Records
Under License from Universal Music Enterprises
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.

User Reviews

Truly Moving Picture
24 October 2006 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

I am a judge for the Indianapolis-based Heartland Film Festival. This feature film is a Crystal Heart Award Winner and is eligible to be the Grand Prize Winner in October of 2006. The Heartland Film Festival is a non-profit organization that honors Truly Moving Pictures. A Truly Moving Picture "…explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life."

This is a story of a very rich dysfunctional family. Red Stevens (James Garner) is a crusty, old billionaire who dies suddenly in an air crash. But, Red has planned for his death carefully. He has videotaped an elaborate will. His spoiled and unappealing adult children receive enough to be set for life, but the status of the bulk of the estate remains a mystery. For his grandchild, Jason (Drew Fuller) , Red has special and unknown plans. Jason, by the way, is the ultimate rich-kid, lazy, shallow brat. Through Red's lawyer, Jason is given a number of elaborate, time-consuming tasks and challenges that Red calls "gifts." There are many of these "gifts."

The viewer has the distinct impression that these will either make Jason or break Jason. While doing these tasks in order to get an anticipated pot-of-gold, Jason is mentored and guided and even loved by a Texas rancher (Brian Dennehy), a wise lawyer, a single mother (Alii Hillis), her young daughter (Abigail Breslin) who has leukemia, and an Ecuadorian guide. Jason can't make it without these true, unselfish friends.

The story plays out as a mystery. How many tasks are there? Will Jason tire of the time-consuming and dangerous tasks and quit? Why does Red choose Jason and not the many other numerous children and grandchildren? Is there a pot-of-gold at the end of these tasks? Why is everything shrouded in secrecy? It is profound and interesting storytelling. You want to know the answers to these questions.

As the film progresses, Jason begins to turn for the better, but you never know whether he will finally make it to become a fine human being; specifically, displaying traits like respect for others, sacrifice, heroism, humility, compassion, and fidelity. Or, will he go back to his playboy lifestyle? The acting in this film makes the storytelling believable.

The acting is outstanding and it is a toss-up whether the young people dominate your attention or the old people dominate your attention.

FYI – There is a Truly Moving Pictures web site where there is a listing of past Crystal Heart Award winners as well as other Truly Moving Picture Award winners that are now either at the theater or available on video.


104 of 128 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

Message Boards

Recent Posts
Movies similar to Ultimate Gift d_gangster7
Right wing propaganda center52
Great Movie; don't listen to these morons mfithian
Does anybody else think this film is way overrated? Bad_Cat
Why does everyone have to be so cynical? lissierae06
How about we actually talk about the film? peacemk101
Discuss The Ultimate Gift (2006) on the IMDb message boards »

Contribute to This Page

Create a character page for:
?