Sorry folks - it's time to go
it's been fun - byeeeeee!
Sorry folks - it's time to go
it's been fun - byeeeeee!
Member since:03.04.2002
Reviews:29
Members who trust:41
You know what it's like - you want a cosy evening in snuggled up on the sofa with the old man and a good video...then along comes a film that makes you stop and think...COULD THIS REALLY WORK?
Pay it Forward is a sensitive film about an 11 year old boy who's teacher sets the class the task of working out an idea that might change the world.
Starring the beautiful Helen Hunt, the gorgeous Kevin Spacey, the frighteningly talented Haley Joel Osment (child star from The 6th Sense)and rock star turned actor Jon Bon Jovi.
The boy (Osment) has the idea of helping 3 people in need? In return each of them then has to help 3 more, then they in turn, help 3 more and so on. It's a kind of downward pyramid of goodness, spreading all across the state, country and world.
His alcoholic single mother (played brilliantly by Hunt) meets his teacher (Spacey) who has deep rooted problems and a history that has resulted in much of his face and body being badly scarred from burning. And so the story unfolds. Little do they realise the boy's idea is already spreading, a tramp he helped goes on to save a woman from committing suicide. Eventually a reporter gets wind of what's happening and tries to get to the source of the idea. Meanwhile the boy's mother and teacher relationship develops (well there has to be romance doesn't there?) but it uncovers disturbing history in both of their pasts.
It takes a great deal of concentration working out the timing of the film - In the beginning you watch a scene of someone paying it forward - then it goes back 4 months - then the character from the original scene is there again - it was not easy to follow when is then or when is now (if you see what I mean!)
Call me an old softy but I was very moved by this film. I found it to be well executed, perhaps a little idealistic, but it was not the sugary sweet middle class America we so often see in this kind of movie. It showed life as it really is, tough, seedy, not a nice world to live in until a small boy has an idea to change that world - and does. The acting was brilliant and I was moved to tears, especially at the end (which I won't give away - I don't want to spoil it for you.) I was not aware of this movie being released in the cinemas but I would recommend everyone rent it.
ONE THING'S FOR SURE ? IF JUST A FEW OF US TOOK UP THE IDEA WE COULD MAKE BIG CHANGES IN THE WORLD - DOES ANYONE FANCY GIVING IT A TRY?
Rated 12.
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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
I remember writing the first Op. on this when I was very new to Ciao! and loved the film. I agree with you, wouldn't it be wonderful if something would actually try and put this idea into practice?
jilmil 26.06.2002 12:35
I missed this movie when it was on at the theatres but I think after reading your review I might check it out on the DVD.
Happiness always,
Pallavi
water-witch 13.06.2002 02:29
I hadn't heard of this one Heather. It sounds nice. Kim :-)
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: Inspiring stuff that just might change the world but the scouts have been trying for years (credit to talltone) Disadvantages: A few but generally seamless
treeman 15.10.2001 (18.10.2001)
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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]")
May 31st, 2002
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helpful by (4%):
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