When I got the idea for this blog, I kind of thought I wouldn't go back and do books I've read in the past but in posting a recent rant about books and movies to my other blog, I can't help thinking that this is really an exception. Usually I am horribly disappointed in the screen adaptation of books and prehaps this is an exception because I read the book after I saw the movie. Maybe this is simply an example of a really crappy book made into a really phenomenal movie.
If you have seen the movie The Ultimate Gift, stop there. This is a really heartwarming story that follows a careless, well-to-do young man as he reluctantly tries to fulfill the terms of a will so that he can claim his inheritance. He has twelve tasks to complete before he can claim the prize which turn out to twelve steps to becoming a better person. I laughed, I cried, and when it was all over... I truly did want to be a better person.
The book tells the same tale, but through the eyes of the lawyer who executes the will, doling out the tasks step by step, and determining whether the heir has met the terms outlined in the will. The problem I had with the book is that the lawyer, of course, doesn't experience each task but merely consults with the youth as he comes to check in at the end of each mission. The book is dry and lacks the depth and feeling of the movie.
If you really must have the full experience, I would recommend reading the book first as to lessen the let down when comparing the two. So often you'll look to the book to lend deeper meaning and insight than the movie can give... That just isn't the case here.
Apparently many people don't agree with me. You can go to The Ultimate Gift website and order your own Ultimate Gift experience. It sounds like a kind of neat thing...
Tis the season to think about others and reassess ourselves. This is a great movie to get you going in the right dirrection. And you can always use the book if you run out of wrapping paper.
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I have to be in the right mood to watch a movie. Thankfully I'd not read the book. You know me, it took a while to pop it in the VCR one Thursday night, but damn I cried. What an incredible movie, I've lent to to numerous people all with rave reviews. But I will hold off on the book. And I always forget to list this as one of my favorite movies.
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