Kevin Spacey Movie:

Editorial Review:
Pay It Forward is a multi-level marketing scheme of the heart. Beginning as a seventh-grade class assignment to put into action an idea that could change the world, young Trevor McKinney (Haley Joel Osment) comes up with a plan to do good deeds for three people who then by way of payment each must do good turns for three other people. These nine people also must pay it forward and so on, ad infinitum. If successful, the resulting network of do-gooders ought to comprise the entire world. Trevor's attempts to get the ball rolling include befriending a junkie (James Caviezel) and trying to set up his recovering-alcoholic mother (Helen Hunt) with his burn-victim teacher (Kevin Spacey), who posed the assignment.

While this could have turned into unmitigated schmaltz, the acting elevates this film to mitigated schmaltz. By turns powerful and measured, the performances of Spacey, Hunt, and Osment can't make up for the many missteps in a screenplay that sanitizes the look of the lower-middle class and expects us to believe that homeless alcoholics and junkies speak in the elevated manner of grad students. (Can that really be Angie Dickinson as Hunt's dispossessed mother? Yes, it is!) The germ of the story is a good one, though, and one may wonder how it would have been handled by the likes of Frank Capra, who could balance sentiment with humor. But clearly Capra would never have let the ending of his version to take the nosedive into cliché and pathos that director Mimi Leder has allowed in this film. More than a few viewers will also recognize that Leder has blatantly borrowed her final image from Field of Dreams, where its intended effect was more keenly and honestly felt. --Jim Gay

Pay It Forward [Region 2] Reviews:
Calling All Angels
2009-12-01 - Wow, What a Great Movie - Simple, Heartwarming, Academy Award Winning Cast with an Inspiring (though not preachy) Message of Hope. I truly enjoyed this movie, simple, but sweet. It was Great to See Angie Dickinson back in the spotlight (boy do I miss the Police Woman Days) and I just adore Helen Hunt! This movie may not be a Hollywood Blockbuster with an action packed story and cool special effects; however I would put it on my A List as a movie with Heart and Emotional Impact (I'm buying several for Christmas Gifts). Also Download the Song "Calling all Angels" by Jan Si-berry with K.D. Lang

great movie
2009-11-12 - very emotional and inspirational movie. this movie could set examples for everybody. watch it. its great

Heartwarming and Gripping
2009-10-28 - This movie is both heartwarming and heartgripping at the same time. I thouroughly enjoyed it and have told so many others about it. I believe this is exactly how God wants us to live life. When we bless others, God blesses us.


A super movie
2009-09-26 - was so very glad when I was able to order "Pay it Forward" through Amazon. If everyone would just follow the premise in this movie, we could change the world! I encourage everyone....young old and in between.....to see this movie. It is Quality and well worth the time and effort to see it.

Excellent Read!
2009-09-23 - This book has a lot of adult themes, but is so uplifting. I originally wanted to read it for my 5th grade class- glad I preread! It is a great philosophy, but too adult. I enjoyed it myself, though!