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Show Wamiiuzzies are 'Ultimate Gift' of drama Lawrence Toppman THE CHARLOTTE (N.C.) , , t '"- Ml!,. ",U .11 ill 1.1 .III... 111. FT Mill Umivevity CINEMAS I Ill OBSERVER HOT IUIM rd MO wonder if "The Ultimate, v Gift" will reach the people ; who need it most. This gentle, genial drama about a guy who puts his life on a meaningful path is distributed by Fox Faith, so critics and audiences may relegate it to the God ghetto reserved for inspirational films. That would be too bad, because it's worth considering regardless of your religious bent or whether you have any religious feeling at aL The transformation of Jason Stevens doesn't depend oil a divine epiphany: It's a gradual I ; -- MU CUMO X x i E II . LJ -- IJO7aOW5 fG-- WIUIMAISIUUrGltiOMO FAMILY HW6WI1 (MOHOArK, $1.00 smn tS f. Man tpa $1.50 afw tpm niMiiii $i m TOO L Ona (MMCnMI urn M-I77- Q LJ IV.EGAFLEX 0lllf1By THAHK10IVIM0 (AT awareness of his responsi- bilities toward others and a willingness to live up to them. He's changed by contact with v ' v Av i ' human beings more thoughtful, I brave and unselfish than he, and though his move toward Fox Faith deeper values is a foregone conclusion what film of this Jason Stevens Drew Fuller realizes how much he needs Emily Abigail Breslin in "The Ultimate Gift." type ever ended in cynicism? it's a journey anyone could take. of Jim Stovall's book faithfully. out as a woman who keeps Jason (Drew Fuller of TV's "Charmed") is the grandson coming off the canvas every Except for Jason, characters of gazillionaire Red Stevens are simple: a bluff, burly ranch- time life knocks her down. Breslin is as irresistible as she (James Garner), who dies and ing pal of Red's (Brian The Ultimate Gift y was in her big breakout role, leaves his squabbling, venal the lawyer's Director: Michael Sajbel and she has a more difficult job family bits and pieces of his secretary (Lee Meriweather), here: Emily is an elfin creature Jason in tells the snarling relatives. Red a holdings. Cast: Drew Fuller, Ali Hillis, not as problematic in farewell video that the young who alternates adult observaThat's Bill Cobbs Abigail Breslin, a story that's a parable, rather tions with kidlike outbursts. If man is the only hope for the Running time: 1 hr., 54 min. what we see here is any indicathan a probing of anyone's family's future, someone does oftale And the who hasn't been irretrievably tion, then Breslin is destined to psyche. for PG thematic Rating: be a jewel in any film's crowa fer one surprise when Jason spoiled. The sullen trustSunder elements, some violence and wants to know what's in the gets to Ecuador, where his dad language estate for him, but Jason's disappeared while working for Location: Opens Friday Red. That sequence, which inwont attorney (Bill Cobbs) volves a kidnapping by rebels in select cities say until Jason successfully who demand a ransom, is the frUDGE TO rtRAMHtA completes a series of tasks film's least convincing. McKay that teach him the value of 1m 3i Cask hard work, genuine friendship, money may be its most unusu- and director Michael Sajbel are small at home the The riches al element. with more of Red etc. learning, and his friends are fair reward jolts and insights Jason gleans You wont be surprised to hear that he befriends Alexia, a for hard work, but they're also from daily doings in more ursingle mom (Ali Hillis), and her an obligation for the inheritors: ban climes. The actors are all competent, daughter, the irrepressible Em- Their work is to find benefiand the endearing Hillis stands cial outlets for the dough and ily (Abigail Breslin of "Little Miss Sunshine"). They provide make sacrifices. (Remember, UW WWW VOW IIX OMUNi OM the Bible tells us that love of Jason with a problem money 11 root of is not the can't fix, the first he's ever evil, money TIm rime Tut A MvU encountered, and ask more of the getting of it.) Stadium Siatm TMX Sound tmm him than anyone before. Screenwriter Cheryl McKay The film's attitude toward has adapted the broad strokes t , i rMmhnMrn ibMtrllM tnMtata,tat 'fttfMvftC) (tlMSt)71SMS jMitpfaft (tatawiiwiii J (uttiMiii pi rata , (H1ltflMS1S 1 Zloviow CINEMARKATPROVO & Den-nehy- ), Bn Ym BX7 Cmur Cunmu mOm.rf1 near-saintl- zooiaimki 12:S 2J0 MO IMS SS 7:45 S4.TH CMM; M.Ti in realSaarting on Mo MMSniKi-ll- 7JO1OI0 0597.25 11. 40 lOflS anstmaiK.ui liiM5SS)aiJ40 tJ0 4)BWIMII1IB CIWBWaCCT AM FORK .lljl"!!!!!,.!!!:!.!!!,!:;!! 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