I loved so much about this movie.  It’s a sweet story, a wonderful glimpse at an aspect of life we are rarely privy to.  But it’s also sad.  It’s sad that our system is so ineffective, and that it is so difficult for good people to catch a break.

The story is corny, and sweet.  It is something that would have been right at home on Lifetime Television or The Hallmark Channel.  Rich, spoiled slacker is offered an undisclosed inheritance, if he can pass a series of challenges.  Each challenge ends up being a gift – something the young man is supposed to learn to make him a better person, someone worthy of this undisclosed inheritance.  The guy is reluctant to get involved, but his curiosity gets the best of him and he goes along with it.

When it comes to the gift of friendship, he meets Emily (our cute Abigail!) and her young, single mother.  At first he things he can just use them, but as he learns more about their lives, he gets drawn in, and starts to care.  These two women end up changing his life, his attitude, and his perspective.

Drama, sadness, lessons learned and the requisite happy ending prevail.  A little preachy, but if you like an extra lump of sugar this just might be your cup of tea.

This is a sweet movie, made that much sweeter by the little guy who plays 6 year old Sebastian. Jason Bateman turns in a warm and funny performance, and Jennifer Aniston plays pretty much the same range she usually does. Jeff Goldblum is charming as Wally’s friend and sounding board, and Juliette Lewis is Kassie’s kooky gal-pal.