The Ultimate Life

With all the different kinds of films Hollywood throws at us in hopes that we will buy tickets to give them more money, it's sure comforting to see a film come along once in a while that is truly made to inspire us through the different messages they convey. We have seen "Facing the Giants" '06, "Fireproof" '08, "Soul Surfer" '11, "Courageous" '11, and each one we see, it hopefully brings us to a point that maybe we can reconnect as a society. Well, we now have "The Ultimate Life" to add to that list.

Jason Stevens (Logan Bartholomew) survived the journey his grandfather, Red Stevens (Drew Waters) sent him through for 'The Ultimate Gift'. That gift which includes managing a billion dollar foundation is being challenged by his own family. In a courtroom battle...His assets are seized...His love interest with Alexia (Ali Hillis) gets complicated...Jason could lose it all. After his friend/attorney Ted Hamilton (Bill Cobbs) shows Jason his grandfather's journal, he is so intrigued with it that he is now on a quest, through a series of flashbacks, to re-examine what it truly means to fulfill his destiny.

Others to round out the cast are Austin James as Teenage Red Stevens, Jack DePew as Young Gus Caldwell, Bechir Sylvain as Young Ted Hamilton, Peter Fonda as Jacob Early, David Mann as Hobo Joe, Lee Meriwether as Mrs. Hastings, Abigail Mavity as Teenage Hanna Roberts, Elizabeth Ann Bennett as Adult Hanna, Dave Northcutt as Gus, 40's, Jason Looney as Bill at 20, Joshua Brady as Jay at 18, Matt Mitchell as Jack at 14, Katherine Murdoch as Ruth at 16, Myke Holmes as Geologist, and James Garner has a cameo role as older Red Stevens.

This was directed with compassion and passion by Michael Landon Jr. ("Love Comes Softly" (TV movie) '03, "Love's Enduring Promise" (TV movie) '04, "Love's Long Journey" (TV movie) '05, "Love's Abiding Joy" '06, "The Last Sin Eater" '07, "Saving Sarah Cain" '07, "The Velveteen Rabbit" '09, "The Shunning" (TV movie) '11, "The Confession" 
(TV movie) '13). This guy really knows how to pull the emotional strings in us to get the essence of the message across. This was written by Brian Bird and Lisa G. Schillingburg based on a screen story by Cheryl McKay which was based on the novel by Jim Stovall.With the exceptions of very few inconsistencies in script, these writers were definitely able to convey the meaning of this story based in the old adage: The best things in life AREN'T things".No matter how much money people have or how much 'stuff' they have, at the end of the day, it's really about the family and friends in one's life that counts.

This film has a lot to say, as with most inspirational films, and if one is open to the sincerity of its story, I believe that this will give you something more than just that warm and fuzzy feeling.

Out of 4 Stars: 3                        Rated: PG                     110mins.