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When you look at the local movie listings, it’s not hard to pick out the movies that will make your heart race—or the movies that will make you laugh. Movies with a message, meanwhile, tend to be few and far between. But, in The Ultimate Life, director Michael Landon, Jr. offers up a clear message about what truly matters in life.
The Ultimate Life picks up where 2006’s The Ultimate Gift left off. Life seems to be just about perfect for Jason Stevens (Logan Bartholomew). He’s now in charge of his late grandfather’s billion-dollar foundation, and he’s planning to propose to the love of his life, Alexia (Ali Hillis). But then things begin to fall apart. His family sues him for control of the foundation, and Alexia leaves to volunteer her time at a hospital in Haiti.
As his world crumbles around him, Jason finds guidance and direction in his grandfather’s old journal.
Films like The Ultimate Life are always difficult to review—because it’s hard to criticize the message. The film’s heart is definitely in the right place, and it offers a valuable lesson about what’s really important in life. For that, I applaud it.
On the other hand, though, it’s just not a well-made film. It’s folksy and melodramatic and, well, quaint—with a distinct made-for-TV tone. And while the story does make some good points, it seems as though there just wasn’t enough material to support the message—because instead of sticking to the point, it meanders in and out of other storylines, taking time to detail both Red’s rivalry with another young man and his early relationship with the pretty young girl who later becomes his wife. This wandering tale is a rather sleepy one—and, unfortunately, it isn’t always that interesting.
Meanwhile, as the years pass on-screen, it becomes more and more difficult to watch Red on his quest to become a billionaire—because, in order for the film to get its message across, the character has to become pretty detestable. Along the road to riches, Red becomes increasingly greedy and selfish. He treats the people around him with disrespect, and he generally ignores his wife and kids. He puts his business first (even on Christmas Day), and he uses his giant stack of cash in an attempt to buy the love and approval of his spoiled rotten children. Again, this is all a part of the film’s message—that there’s more to life than money—but it doesn’t make for an especially enjoyable experience.
A movie like The Ultimate Life definitely has its audience—and for good reason. It’s a thoughtful movie with a solid moral lesson. If you’re looking for a moving drama with a consistently compelling story, however, I’m afraid this isn’t it.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
