The Ultimate Gift Review

The Ultimate Gift is a story about a man (Howard 'Red' Stevens) who passes on, leaving a great deal of wealth to his family. His greedy family is not interested in the man, but only in the prospect of a large inheritance. Howard is wise to this, and though his will does distribute the wealth to his family, he puts many limiting factors in place that don't allow easy access to the money. The family is aggravated by the fact that they don't have instant access to Howards' wealth.

Jason (played by Drew Fuller) shows up - a young man who has never worked a day in his life - expecting to receive a check for a large sum of cash. Howard is well aware of Jason's character, and sends him on a journey across the world in search of love, friendship, adventure, and so much more. Initially, he is given a choice whether he would like to learn what the "ultimate gift" is all about, and though Jason is reluctant, that kind of offer is hard to pass up. Jason learns to appreciate working for a living, the wealth he has, finding true friends, and uncovering the mystery of his father's death in the process. The ultimate gift is becoming a man who has the character to spend his wealth wisely and prudently.

The Ultimate Gift isn't just a heartwarming, Hallmark moment flick. It's about the transformation of a man who was once hard, uncaring, and unmotivated except by his own security and wellbeing. I like the concept, and while it could have been approached with more eloquence and grace, the point gets across with great clarity. Life is rarely eloquent and graceful, and messiness comes with the territory. Wealth in the wrong hands only corrupts.