I'm a high school Drama teacher. In 2005 I'm going to start a PhD scholarship. I enjoy the CIAO id...
I'm a high school Drama teacher. In 2005 I'm going to start a PhD scholarship. I enjoy the CIAO idea and look forward to being more active as my life becomes a little more sane.
Member since:09.01.2001
Reviews:41
Members who trust:7
Many of the criticisms of this film have centered around the opinion that it is too sentimental and/or too idealistic. I say take your cynicism and shove it!
We need ideals in the world we live in - yes this film fulfils many of the criteria of a "tear-jerker" and despite that it still leaves me wondering "what if?"....
I enjoyed this film despite the harsh criticisms I've heard and read. I was reluctant to attend because I'd heard such negative reports - but I eventually trotted along and for the first time in a long time I was moved by Hollywood cinema.
I can see the reasons why our movie journalists struggling desperately for street cred would pan this film. It has two big names - one better known for TV than film and it's always easy to slate the tall poppies. Our Kevin Spacey character is not a strong nor particularly three dimensional character - he is there in a functional role. And the face pulling acting of the young "Sixth Sense" star will remind any cynical journo of the antics of Macauley Culkin. This film was already struggling to transport excrement up a steep incline when it came to getting an honest human review from from our wasted, pasted and blazed elite in the media.
The story is of a young boy's hope to make the world a better place - the concept of Pay It Forward is reminiscent of a Multi-level Marketing scheme for goodwill. And dammit why should they have to apologise for pointing out a few home truths. The secret to a better world lies in our attitudes and our actions - sure its easy to shrug and say its all crap because it'll never happen - it's utopian (as though that is a bad thing!!!!)... I throw down the challenge - don't worry about whether everyone else will pay it forward - why don't you just do what you can to improve the lot of someone else - don't expect favours in return, don't expect to feel good about it, don't expect to be appreciated or even noticed - just do it because you know it is the decent thing to do... and be content with what transpires...
The film is simply made - it does not proclaim itself as an innovation in film-making - it simply says here's an idea to consider... and for that it has been soundly thrashed by world-weary word hacks who seem to promote the world as a substitute for toilet paper.
My opinion is that you go see this film with an open mind and suspend judgement - comparing it to Ken Russell or Gladiator or anything for that matter defeats the purpose. This film, as I said at the outset, is SENTIMENTAL and IDEALISTIC and that IS THE POINT - any leap to cynicism after seeing this film just highlights the ugliness in your own life and an unwillingness to rise above it. If you are not moved by this film then I pity you and wonder if there is something in my ability that I could do to help you.
On another note - this is a great chance to get a real surprise at the rather grim appearance of Helen Hunt - good grief!!!
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Production Year: 2007 - Drama - Director: Mike Binder - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett, Liv Tyler, Saffron Burrows, Donald Sutherland, Mike Binder
Production Year: 1998 - Drama - Director: Carl Franklyn, Carl Franklin - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Meryl Streep, William Hurt, Renee Zellweger, Tom Everett Scott, Nicky Katt, Lauren Graham
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Your review is great. Good hearing the 'other ' side. I didn't like reading all the negative reviews either, especially since it was a great film. And, things like this happen. All over the USA and in the world, you hear about the good things that just keep happening to people, the only problem is that they are not listed on the front pages of our newspapers.
KUDOS to you for your great words about this great movie!
It's defintely nice to see a movie that the entire family can and will enjoy.
alflavor 26.03.2001 00:20
Not heard of this one, but it sounds good. Will look out for it! Good op, Al.
Director Mimi Leder's third movie,Pay it Forward, finds her moving into softer, more ... more
intimate territory after making her name with a pair of high-budget action spectaculars,The PeacemakerandDeep Impact. This is a would-be heart-warming fable about the ...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Director Mimi Leder's third movie,Pay it Forward, finds her moving into softer, more ... more
intimate territory after making her name with a pair of high-budget action spectaculars,The PeacemakerandDeep Impact. This is a would-be heart-warming fable about the ...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Is it possible for one idea to change the world? Just imagine. You do a favor that really ... more
helps someone and tell him or her not to pay it back but to pay it forward to three other people who in turn each pay it forward to three more - and on and on ...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Tormented by an abusive and absent father (Jon Bon Jovi), young Trevor McKinney (Haley ... more
Joel Osment - The Sixth Sense) takes his teacher's (Kevin Spacey) challenge to make the world a better place as part of a school assignment, seriously. He comes up w...
Advantages: Brilliantly acted, good idea, really enjoyable movie for the family to watch together Disadvantages: I did not like the ending at all, and really didn't see the relevance
poet831 03.07.2001 (06.07.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Pay It Forward (DVD)
Advantages: Somewhat original story, original concept, great performances, touching, makes you think Disadvantages: A bit over sentimental for some (you'll need to be armed with tissues!)
IzzyS 30.12.2007 (30.12.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Pay It Forward (DVD)
![Pay It Forward [DVD] [2001]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78523606.jpg "Pay It Forward [DVD] [2001]")
Mar 3rd, 2001
(Mar 4th, 2001)
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