Saturday night was spent curled up on the sofa, watching a film. I have never done a film review so I thought I would give it a go. I did write a review on Eastenders and that seemed to be received quite well so here goes. The film is, Pay it forward. This film seems to have slipped through my net as it was released in early 2000. I was perusing some new releases in WH Smiths, and I had Twenty pounds worth of vouchers I had received for my birthday. They had a special deal on where you can buy three DVDs for twenty pounds. I choose two but had difficulty choosing the third. My wife brought this film to my attention. Starring Kevin Spacey who I really like, I read the story on the back and bought the film.
Although there are many actors and actresses in the film, there are only three main characters. Kevin Spacey as Mr Simonet, Helen Hunt as Arlene, and Haley Joel Osment as her
son. In case you don’t remember the boy, he starred in the sixth sense with Bruce Willis. It also stars Jon-Bon-Jovi, and Angie Dickinson. (See if you can spot her.) The film starts with a reporter having his car wrecked. Then it retreats to four months earlier. With Trevor, (Haley Joel Osment) starting a new seventh grade class, with a new teacher. (Kevin Spacey). He introduces himself, together with scars all over his face, (becomes apparent why, later.) and then sets the class an assignment and challenge. The challenge is to think of something that will change the world, and then take action to carry it out. Trevor takes this very seriously and chooses three people in which to set his ideas into practice. He comes up with an idea that rather than pay back favours or deeds that have been done for you, you give a favour first for no apparent reason. This can be with strangers or people you know already. Apart from the other two people he chooses, he picks his Mother, who is a recovering alcoholic. (I am not giving anything away here as this is very apparent from the beginning.). Kevin Spacey also has problems from his past and as the story unfolds it is about Arlene and Mr Simonet coming to terms with their personal history. As a side issue there is the reporter chasing around trying to find out who the original person was who gave the favour forward. I personally found the conclusion surprising, but it certainly evokes some strong emotion. This film had me ebbing and flowing on an emotional rollercoaster as I found myself wondering how wonderful this would be as a reality. Then I realised that most of us are too selfish to put this idea into practice. I do tend to get lost in the characters when I get “held”, watching a film like this, and it certainly held me from start to finish. It was very thought provoking and could change your outlook on life a little. The pace of the film was very good with no boring bits rolling along going nowhere. As a counsellor I do tend to analyse people, including film characters and I found the film very possible, and quite real. I thought overall the acting was excellent. I actually thought Helen Hunt as the Mother was outstanding, apart from finding her very attractive. Kevin Spacey gave his usual great contribution and Haley Joel Osment was very good. I see a big future for this young man.
Although it has a 12 rating I think some younger children could watch it as long as they were supervised. There is some limited violence in the film, but no swearing I can remember. There is only one sex scene and this is very well managed with no explicitness. The film runs for 119 minutes which is just about right. You will need the Kleenex for different parts of the film. Well I did anyway, but I can be very emotional. I’m worse than any woman when I get going.
The film is released by Warner Brothers on DVD, and Video. The DVD is £7.99 on its own but at the time of writing can be obtained in WH Smiths under a three for £20 deal. I have also seen this film in HMV for the same price.
CONCLUSION.
A captivating, easy to watch, simple plot. A very good family film, although could be a little emotional at times.
Regards………Tony
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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...
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...
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
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]")
Feb 8th, 2004
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