Pay It Forward

Rating:
Summary: Are You Going To Pay It Forward?
Review: You know, when it comes to art I don't really mind critics and criticism. This film was criticized as being sentimental, predictable and even emotionally manipulative. Fine. If that's all you get from watching this film that's your personal experience. I happened to like the theme of "paying it forward". The message, simple, direct, yet, difficult for most people to accept. What would this world be like if we all really did pay it forward? Would it be better? How would we know unless we tried it? Resistance to change is a part of human nature and is showcased fairly well in Helen Hunt's and Kevin Spacey's characters. Yet, it is possible, as Kevin Spacey's character suggests to his class. I am familiar with characters portrayed in this film, I am a counselor. I see the effects emotional and physical abuse has on children and adults everyday I go to work. It's not as easy as the film suggests to just change and pay it forward. Most of us would not help a stranger, let alone our own family members. Maybe the idea of paying it forward is too idealistic or lofty, but it sure felt good to see something refreshing, something with a heart or charitableness. I like all kinds of stories. I think I'm pretty cynical and jaded, yet I guess I'm ideal at the heart, even if it doesn't work out like it should. I think most of the complaining about this film was in its execution more than what it was about. True enough, so four stars instead of five, who cares? It's entertaining and its heart is in the right place, and the acting by Hunt and Spacey and Osment is above average. Rent it, and pay it forward.

Rating:
Summary: A really grate movie for anytime
Review: When I first heard about the movie I wanted to see it but I really din't have a opinion on it. Then when it came out on video I figgerd i would get it and i did want to rent it but I really din't think it would be that grate of a movie. I thought it would be avrege. But then I decided to rent it and it was much much better then I had expected. I say this is a must rent.

Rating:
Summary: A film that gives hope that we may yet redeem ourselves!
Review: This is a great film with the message that doing for others as we would have others do for us is indeed a noble and workable idea. Haley Joel Osment is great and Kevin Spacey puts in a great performance as one of his school teachers. Spacey as the cynical teacher challenges his students to find a project they can do during the school year which will "change the world." Osment's project is "Pay it Forward." Under the plan, Osment does something good for three people who, in turn, must do something good for three people, and so on. Ultimately Spacey develops a romantic relationship with Helen Hunt -- an alcoholic and mother to Osment -- who works two jobs trying to care for her son and fears that someday her husband may return home. All in all, its a super film. I don't want to give away the ending, but the film is one that is suitable for the family. It will surely get you thinking about what good deeds you may be able to do for someone today, without thought for yourself, and the good that it may do for the world.

Rating:
Summary: a great film with a wonderful cast
Review: Although I read very negative critics about this film, I actually liked it. It tells the story of boy, Trevor, who creates a project called "pay it forward" for his social studies class. It consists in a chain, in which one people should help other 3, and each of them should help 3 more and so on. The idea is approved by his teacher, played by the great kevin spacey, which happens to be one of the people chosen by Trevor to be helped. The other one is his own mother, played by helen hunt, who has alcohol problems and suffers with the violence of trevor's father, played by jon bon jovi. A reporter finds out about the pay it forward project and decides to follow the chain until he reaches the creator of it.

Well, this film is beautiful and has some good dialogs. The cast is wonderful and it surely makes the difference. I must admmit the movie is kind of sad and makes you cry 2 hours nonstop. This film is also very touching and clever, and will not please all types of viewers, but only those who reflect about their own lives and who are concerned about the world in which we live today. Helen hunt is great as the drunk mother and she has great scenes with kevin spacey, with whom she gets romantically involved. Jon bon jovi has a small part, but does not add much to this movie. It's a great choice for those who like drama.

Rating:
Summary: We Could All Learn Something
Review: Another amazing movie starring Haley Joel Osmet. Being a teacher myself, I found Kevin Spacey's role as a teacher to be very inspiring. You start to realize what an impact teachers can have on students. In addition, the whole concept of Haley's social studies project is so profound. The idea of helping others for whatever reason and by whatever means--I think everyone who sees this movie will walk away realizing that each and every thing we do affects someone somewhere. I also hope that people will learn something from this movie--is it so hard to be kind to others? Is it so hard to put other's needs before yours sometimes? On the other hand, it also can demonstrate the greatness of humankind. I highly recommend this movie to everyone.

Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC !
Review: What can i say, absolutely GREAT MOVIE. Really sad ending but fantastic movie. BRILLIANT ! Greating acting by all, especially Hayley Joel Osment playing a very difficult role, and he had to die, which was really sad.

Rating:
Summary: Profoundly Inspiring!
Review: The most inspiring and uplifting movie I've ever seen! More than mere entertainment, it's message is life-altering. One person CAN make a difference in the world. Why shouldn't it be you?

Rating:
Summary: Return it Back!!!!
Review: Feel good movie? Touching? Heart warming? C'mon people. Get a clue. The characters in this movie are boring and have no emotional content. The story line is predictable and the whole 'pay it foward' concept in unbelievable.

Rating:
Summary: So-so movie
Review: If you're in the mood for a whiny, the world is (...) but let's be optimistic (is that oxymoronic or what?) movie...then this flick is for YOU! Maybe I'm insensitive...or maybe I was just in the wrong mood...but movies like this should make me feel good about human nature in the end. This depressed me. Good acting...but bad directing left this one begging to be ejected from my DVD player...

Rating:
Summary: Misleading
Review: Don't let the picture on the box fool you. This is not a feel good movie. The movie is built on a premise of paying it forward that has the potential to be a great movie, but the ending will attempt to break your heart and only outrage you because the writer(s) chose to use an ending to evoke emotion in a cheap, insulting and underhanded way. Without giving away the ending for those who still want to see it, be prepared to be disappointed. The descriptions of the movie, the cover of the DVD and the promos all lead you to believe that this is a feel good movie, it definitely is not. The idea this movie was based on, paying it forward, has great potential but the direction the end of this movie takes negates the core of what paying it forward has to offer. Why would anyone pay it forward if this was the outcome???