The Ultimate Gift


This is the first movie I've seen in awhile that was truly moving. A movie that does not seek merely to entertain but to focus on the concept of what are authentic gifts in our lives. We are introduced to a young man named Jason who has always had easy access to money, pleasures, and the things of the world. With the death of his grandfather, Jason is forced to go through a series of discovering certain "gifts" in order to receive his inheritance. 

The Twelve Gifts in the Ultimate Gift: the gift of work, money, friends, learning, problems, family, laughter, dreams, giving, gratitude, a day, and love -- these are the ordinary parts of anyone's life that we take for granted or don't see in the right light. 

We are also introduced to the character of Emily, whose spunk and frankness will charm anyone. Emily gives Jason a reason to appreciate the gifts in a completely different way and seek to fulfill the requirements of his grandfather regardless of money. Jason must also face the reason for his father's death, but there may also be a little romance thrown in there for Jason.

Although the movie deals with some serious questions, it is still filled with enough laughter and light moments to make the film both heartwarming and a tear jerker. Most memorable quote: Emily: "My dream? My dream was the perfect day....and I'm just finishing it. My dream is to be with people I love, who love each other, and who love me."

Wish I had seen this ten years ago when it first came out ;-)