We need more good family values movies. I really enjoyed this one, although some of the family clichés were a bit exaggerated.
We learn quite quickly that Red Stevens (James Garner) is about to die and is video taping his instructions, but we don't know for whom. There is a large gathering for the reading of the will, and all are disappointed because the sons and daughters are money-grubbing selfish people. But mysteriously, he has a special message, on DVD, for his grandson Jason (Drew Fuller). The grandson who is headed in the same direction as the others, never having worked and living a spendthrift life on his endowment. We know his father died in unfortunate circumstances, but we don't know any details.
The main story is devoted to the Jason character, he is given a series of 12 "gifts" by his deceased grandfather, and each is designed to teach him a valuable lesson about life and giving back to the people you value.
Ali Hillis is good as Alexia, whom Jason meets quite accidentally in the park in Charlotte, NC, when her young daughter Emily (Abigail Breslin) approaches Jason.
My wife and I enjoyed this movie very much. It isn't perfect (but which movie is??) but it has a good story and good family values.
SPOILERS FOLLOW. The "gifts" work for Jason and he becomes a caring person who appreciates the value of hard work, and giving back to society. Emily had been in treatment for Lukemia, and did not survive. But Jason used his wealth and his grandfather's influence to begin construction on a $350Million complex called "Emily's Home" for families to live while the children were being treated for life-threatening illnesses. He also became head of all remaining corporations of his deceased grandfather, valued at near $2Billion.
We learn quite quickly that Red Stevens (James Garner) is about to die and is video taping his instructions, but we don't know for whom. There is a large gathering for the reading of the will, and all are disappointed because the sons and daughters are money-grubbing selfish people. But mysteriously, he has a special message, on DVD, for his grandson Jason (Drew Fuller). The grandson who is headed in the same direction as the others, never having worked and living a spendthrift life on his endowment. We know his father died in unfortunate circumstances, but we don't know any details.
The main story is devoted to the Jason character, he is given a series of 12 "gifts" by his deceased grandfather, and each is designed to teach him a valuable lesson about life and giving back to the people you value.
Ali Hillis is good as Alexia, whom Jason meets quite accidentally in the park in Charlotte, NC, when her young daughter Emily (Abigail Breslin) approaches Jason.
My wife and I enjoyed this movie very much. It isn't perfect (but which movie is??) but it has a good story and good family values.
SPOILERS FOLLOW. The "gifts" work for Jason and he becomes a caring person who appreciates the value of hard work, and giving back to society. Emily had been in treatment for Lukemia, and did not survive. But Jason used his wealth and his grandfather's influence to begin construction on a $350Million complex called "Emily's Home" for families to live while the children were being treated for life-threatening illnesses. He also became head of all remaining corporations of his deceased grandfather, valued at near $2Billion.