On the day that their parents are going to announce their separation three siblings discover that a magical clock will allow them to repeat the day and try to save their parents marriage. 

The Present is the sort of film that adults should find offensive and just be thankful that it only runs 86 minutes long. The plot line suggests that a marriage on a downward spiral for years can be saved if just one day could somehow go perfectly. On top of that it places the burden of that perfection on children, portrays therapists in the worst possible cliched way and caps the whole thing by suggesting that the anxiety disorder of selective mutism can be just brushed aside if they just really try. Of course it’s possible that you might find it some sort of magical inspiration but I would be surprised. 

Isla Fisher, who recently separated from her real life husband Sacha Baron Cohen whom she has three children with plays Jen Diehl. She feels her marriage has run its course feeling alone in bringing up her children. Her husband Eric, played by Greg Kinnear feels like a ghost in the relationship since they had children. They are seeing an appalling therapist who is only interested in spritzing his orchids and has agreed they should separate. Meanwhile their mute son who cannot stand to be touched played by Easton Rocket Sweda discovers he can wind back time and tries to change the course of the day so they fall back in love. As things go on he ropes on help from his sister and brother played by Shay Rudolph and Mason Shea Joyce. 

As the day repeats and repeats they try to perfect their plans but are continually thwarted. The events are neither particularly funny nor dramatic. The whole thing plays out in a drab soap opera manner with no cinematic flare and in days gone by would be relegated to a direct to video movie buried on the bottom shelves of the family movie section. 

I just wish it had been only forgettable rather than plain offensive. 

Absolute dross. The kids seemed to enjoy it though!