The Ultimate Gift
| The Ultimate Gift | |
|---|---|
| File:The-ultimate-gift.jpg Cover. | |
| Directed by | Rick Eldridge |
| Written by | Jim Stovall (novel) Cheryl McKay (screenplay) |
| Produced by | Rick Eldridge Jim Van Eerden |
| Starring | James Garner Drew Fuller Abigail Breslin Brian Dennehy Brett Rice |
| Cinematography | Brian Baugh |
| Music by | Mark McKenzie |
| Language | English |
The Ultimate Gift is a 2006 theatrical production based off author Jim Stovall's bestselling novel.
Plot
When his rich grandfather Red Stevens (portrayed by James Garner) died, Jason (a bratty Drew Fuller) thought he was going to inherit a piece of the oil man's multi-billion dollar estate. Things didn't quite happen that way. In order to get his share of the willed inheritance, Jason must complete 12 separate assignments within a year long period of time. Each assignment is centered around a "gift." The gifts of Money, Friends, and Knowledge are among the dozen that Jason must learn before he is eligible for the mysterious "Ultimate Gift" his grandfather's will has for him. Along the way, the movie spins a couple side stories that were not in the novel, adding a love interest and a mysterious girl (an up-and-coming Abigail Breslin who also co-starred in Signs and beat out Dakota Fanning for the role of Olive in Little Miss Sunshine) who has more to her than meets the eye. And as Jason works through these twelve gifts in twelve months, he comes to see Red Stevens as more than a deceased billionaire (and nothing else). At the same time, his past...and future, take on a whole new perspective.
Cast and Crew
In what James Garner has said will be the last role of his established film career, the well-known actor plays the mysterious Red Stevens. In the lead role is Drew Fuller, the well-known TV image of the WB's long-running series Charmed. The talented cast is joined by Abigail Breslin, whom many have proclaimed as the next Dakota Fanning, and Brett Rice (of Remember the Titans).
- The film is being Produced and Directed by Rick Eldridge, winner of more than thirty Telly Awards, four New York World Medal awards, two US International Film and Video Festival awards, and six Communicator Awards. Alongside him as Executive Producers are Jim Van Eerden and Dave Ross.
- Mark McKenzie, the well-known orchestrator of such motion picture soundtracks as Ice Age: The Meltdown, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Spider-Man 2, Van Helsing, and The Nightmare before Christmas is slated to score the Gift's original soundtrack. Joining the orchestral score will be songs from San Diego's Alternative rockers Switchfoot and Christian pop artist Sara Groves.
- Costumes are by being designed by Jane Anderson (Rudy, Hoosiers with makeup by renown John Bayless (Cold Mountain, The New World).
Filming
Despite simulated South American scenes, the movie was shot mostly on location in North Carolina.
Status
The movie is in the post-production stage (as of late May, 2006), with a Director's cut already finalized. Theatrical release is set for the latter months of the year.