Pay It Forward (DVD) > Reviews

Advantages: 2 hours of relaxation.
Disadvantages: A few tears.

...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 ... Read review

Advantages: Emotionally intense. Extremely well acted.
Disadvantages: Plot rather cheesy and saccharine at times.

...idea is that rather than pay it back, they pay it forward to three other people. That way it will spread and lots of people will be doing good for each other and the world will be a better place. For most of the film, we follow two strands. One is Trevor's attempts to do good turns for people including trying to set up his mother with Mr Simonet. The other is the journalist from the beginning tracking back through the people who have paid it forward ... Read review

Advantages: Great Performances, Sexy Kevin Spacey.
Disadvantages: You'll need the Kleenex

...front. I chose to watch Pay It Forward, partly because I am a big fan of all the main stars, Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osmant, and partly because it is based in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, I didn't get around to choosing it earlier because about twenty minutes from the end of the movie the flight attendant anounced that we where preparing our descent and all the TV monitors went off. So, last night, when I saw Pay It Forward in Blockbuster ... Read review

Advantages: Uplifting, thoughtful and human
Disadvantages: An easy target

...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 ... Read review

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

This is one of those movies that is both enjoyable to watch and can prompt you onto better things, if you hear the message. When a young reporter, whose vehicle has been damaged, is given the keys to a Jaguar by a man who walks away only with the admonishment to "pay it forward", he sets out to follow the trail of the concept back to find out where it began ... Trevor (Haley Joel Osment) is a serious child, a product of an abusive double-alcoholic ... Read review

Advantages: The three main actors and an inspirational story
Disadvantages: Jon Bon Jovi, sorry!

Did Pay It Forward (PIF) bypass you when it was released in the cinema? It did me. I saw a few trailers and thought ‘Hmm, Kevin Spacey’ but pretty much forgot it and as far as I can remember, there wasn’t a lot of hype surrounding it. But I can tell you now that this is a wonderful, wonderful film. Whenever I was in Blockbuster, PIF was the only film that had all the rental copies still stacked up behind it. So I thought that ... Read review

Advantages: Fantastic acting, plot, makes you think of life in a different light
Disadvantages: None, honestly

...three questions. But, after watching Pay It Forward it changes my views on those questions and most importantly my views on life… It stars Kevin Spacey – L.A Story, American Beauty; Haley Joel Smith – Sixth Sense, A.I: Artificial Intelligence; Helen Hunt – As Good As It Gets and the Comedy Series Mad About You. All three create atmosphere in the film. It is rather odd because it isn’t a film that all of a sudden ... Read review

Advantages: Enjoyable tale
Disadvantages: Nothing ground breaking

...to encounter people aiming to Pay It Forward in the same way that people practice random acts of kindness. However, it has to be said that no such do-gooding occured! The central theme of the film appeals to my idealistic side, but there is plenty to keep the romantic, confused, wounded and cynical parts of my personality entertained to. On release the film was touted as an Oscar contender, but it's not anything new and whilst the acting is ... Read review

Advantages: It makes you think what a wonderful world this could be
Disadvantages: It makes you think what a lousy this world this could be

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 ... Read review

Advantages: Beautiful drama
Disadvantages: DH got a very soggy shoulder at the end.

...reporter tracking the story of Pay It Forward four months after the above idea was formulated. This part of the story is kinda hard to follow as the plot with Eugene, Trevor and Arlene is happening 4 months previously to our intrepid reporter discovering the phenonmenon. "Pay It Forward" is gorgeous to watch, exquisitly acted and beautifully crafted. The idea is inspiring and just imagine what the world would be like if we all adopted it. I will ... Read review

Advantages: Easy to follow, and funny in parts
Disadvantages: Much different in many areas to original story

After seeing Haley Joel Osment's earlier film, "The Sixth Sense", I was most pleased to be notified through the internet last October of the then just-released book with this young actor in it. I duly purchased the book, and read it every day, until I finished it. I found the book quite slow at first, but then became deeply engrossed in it. I must say, though, that at first I couldn't determine which of the characters was portrayed by Kevin Spacey ... Read review

Advantages: A good "slow you down" movie.
Disadvantages: Poor story line.

A man in the wrong place at the wrong time. Classical opening to the movie. His car is crushed simply because of his timing, and a stranger gives him the key to a Jaguar. The atmosphere is one of mystery, one that makes you think you are about to be taken on a journey of imagination. Take a small boy, give him an idea to work on, and the possibilities are endless. In this case, Trevor McKinney (the child played by Haley Joel Osment) is probably ... Read review