Pay It Forward (2000)

The Long Review:

Pay It Forward, in a word, is noble. It's one of those movies that have a really good intention but fall short of coming through. It aims to please but doesn't hit the bullseye. It's about a seventh grader, Trevor, (Haley Joel Osment) who is challenged by his social studies teacher, Mr. Simonet (Kevin Spacey), along with his class, to think of something that could make the world better, and put it into action. (I think we've all been given impossible assignments in class before when we were just wee little lads and lasses...like not do the kinky until you're married! Hee-haw! We all know what became of that little challenge!) So Trevor comes up with this bright idea. He'll do a good thing, something big, for three people; and in turn, each of those three will do a good deed for three other people; and in turn, each of those three will do a good deed for three other people...and so on. Get the point? Good.

What you get next is a slew of melodramatic scenes that will wrench at your heartstrings, and possibly your stomach. Let us tell ya. If you're not into sappy, sentimental, sordid tales, then this movie is not for ya! Lotsa people cry in this movie. They cry when they're happy, they cry when they're sad, they cry when they're angry, heck, they even cry when they're hungry. And what do you know? You'll start to cry, too. Guaranteed! And although the plot seems simple enough, it may get confusing for some, as it switches back and forth from past to present in an attempt to show the audience exactly how far the Pay It Forward movement goes. And just as it is confusing, the way that some scenes is presented is pretty predictable. As for the ending...Isn't there a limit to just how melodramatic a movie can be? We won't say anymore lest we spoil it for you.

But don't get us wrong. It's a pretty good production. Haley Joel Osment gives plays his role well as the son of a drunk who has visions (or some pessimists may refer to it as delusions) of grandeur for the world. You can't help but feel for this kid. He is diligent at school, cleans up after his drunken mom, Arlene (Helen Hunt) and still finds time to save the world. At 11, no less! Some might think of this guy as Mr. Perfect! Kevin Spacey is convincing as a burn victim who's built a bubble for himself (figuratively speaking!)just to get through each day. (Hmmm...The world sucks so he sends his troops of seventh graders to do the dirty work of fixing it. Now there's a smart man!) Oh, his makeup job is pretty damn good, too! Helen Hunt as Arlene, is ugly. Sorry, but it's true. Those makeup people sure reached their goal of making her look bad. We can't decide who looks scarier: Kevin Spacey or Helen Hunt. But hey, her acting was good. You feel sorry for her, despise her, and like her all at the same time. It's pretty confusing, actually.

Now we mentioned that this movie is pretty melodramatic. Is there room for some good stuff, you ask? Not really. You get nothing more than a PG-13 love scene between consenting adults and some skimpy outfits from Helen Hunt. That's it, that's all. But you do get in touch with your emotional side!

Pay It Forward is a dramatic film that crosses the fine boundary towards melodrama. Like we said, its intentions are good; it's too damn bad that the way it delivers isn't up to par. As Roger Ebert says, The movie has its heart in the right place, but not its screenplay. It tells a story that audience members will want to like, but it doesn't tell it strongly and cleanly enough; it puts too many loops into the plot, and its ending is shamelessly soapy for the material. We agree. We feel bad for not embracing the movie, since it's just soooooo nice. But what can we say? Nice just doesn't cut it.