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Pay It Forward 2000 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Mimi Leder
PG-13, 125 min. (mature themes, sexuality, language, violence) |
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Starring: Haley Joel Osment, Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt, James Caviezel, Jay Mohr, Jon Bon Jovi, Angie Dickenson
Producers: Peter Abrams, Robert L. Levy
Screenplay: Leslie Dixon
Distributor: Warner Brothers
Released: 10/20/00 (Wide) |
Rating:
  (out of ) |
Pay it Forward is one of those movies that you know is geared towards the Academy. Two major stars and one young, talented
actor fill out the cast, and with a good story, it has the perfect opportunity to garner enough attention to receive some nominations.
But this strategy doesn't always pay off, and this movie is a good example. The movie is good up until a certain point, where suddenly
it turns in a different direction, almost ruining the flow of the picture. It ends in a depressing way, and, although that's not
rare these days, it doesn't have the payoff it was trying to achieve.
Trevor (Haley Joel Osment) is a seventh grader with an idea that is inspired by his teacher, Eugene (Kevin Spacey). Eugene
was badly burned by an abusive father when he was young, but is determined to inspire his students to make goals in life, not
to just sit through class and get a degree. When Trevor comes up with his "pay it forward" idea, which he implements by being
kind to one stranger and then asking them to do the same, it sparks a movement that reaches as far away as a few states. We
don't know the effects of his idea until the end of the film. Meanwhile, his mother, Arlene (Helen Hunt), is battling alcoholism and
trying to raise her son Trevor with two jobs to make ends meet. Trevor decides it's a good idea to hook his mother up with
Eugene, and, of course, they hit it off and discover each other's weaknesses and fears.
The film moves at a good pace with two separate ends of the picture, one in current time and the other moving backwards, meeting
at the end. It seems we are set up for a happy ending until Trevor sticks up for one of his friends, who is being bullied, and
is fatally injured. Director Mimi Leder is trying to set up an emotional response from the audience ala similar pictures
such as Forest Gump, but it just doesn't work this time. Trevor's death seems forced,
just a way to make the end of the picture more meaningful, which is unnecessary. It's unfortunate, because this movie had
serious potential to make an impact.
The performances of all three actors are good, especially Helen Hunt, who gives one of the best performances of her
career. I admire all the other aspects of the film, the story, the idea, etc., until the last few minutes, which as I said before,
seems forced upon you. Otherwise, this is still an enjoyable picture for the most part, but don't be surprised to be a little
frustrated with its conclusion.
© 2000 Jonathan Cornwell
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| Masterpiece - Classic; Movie perfection |
| Excellent - A Must See; One of the year's best films |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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