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Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt, Haley Joel Osment, Jay Mohr, Jim Caviezel ... see more see more... , Jon Bon Jovi , Angie Dickinson , David Ramsey , Gary Werntz , Liev Schreiber , Colleen Flynn , Marc Donato , Kathleen Wilhoite , Liza Snyder , Jeannetta Arnette , Hannah Werntz , Tina Lifford , Loren D. Baum , Nico Matinata , Zack Duhame , Shawn Pyfrom , Alexandra Kotcheff , Bradley White , Christi Colombo , Phillip D. Stewart , Justin Parsons , Myeshia Dejore Walker , Brenae Suzanne Davey , Molly Kate Bernard , Andrew Patrick Flood , Tameila N. Turner , Julian Correa , Carrie Ann Sullivan , Patricia Deanda , Ryan Berti , Gabriela Rivas , Carrick O'Quinn , Stephanie Feury , Bernard White , Tom Bailey , Tim De Zarn , Jonathan Nichols , Ron Keck , John Powers , Bob McCracken , Frank Whiteman , Eugene Osment , Kendall Tenney , Sue Tripathy , Rusty Meyers , Leslie Dilley

A young boy stumbles upon a simple way to change the world in this drama. Trevor (Haley Joel Osment) is a bright 11-year-old boy who comes from a troubled home; his mother Arlene (Helen Hunt) is an al... read more read more...coholic trying to hold down two jobs to support her son, while Trevor's father Jon Bon Jovi) left his family behind some time ago. At school, Trevor's class is introduced to their new social studies teacher, Mr. Simonet (Kevin Spacey), a guarded man with severe facial scars. Simonet gives his class an unusual assignment -- think up a practical way to make the world a better place, and put it into action. Trevor comes up with the notion of "Pay It Forward" -- do a needed favor for three different people without being asked, and then ask them to do the same for three others. Trevor starts by letting Jerry (James Caviezal), a junkie living on the streets, stay in his home. Next, he tries to fix Arlene up with Mr. Simonet, since both seem to be lonely and the clean and sober teacher might help Arlene stay away from alcohol. Finally, he tries to rescue one of his schoolmates, who is constantly tormented by bullies. Meanwhile, journalist Chris Chandler (Jay Mohr) finds himself stuck on the road without a car late one night when a man stops and give him the keys to a new car, asking him only to pay the favor forward to someone else; astonished, Chris wants to find out where this philosophy came from. Based on the novel by Catherine Ryan Hide, Pay It Forward also stars Angie Dickinson and Liev Schreiber. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

82% liked it

185,920 ratings

Critics

40% liked it

127 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 3 min.

Directed by: Mimi Leder

Release Date: October 20, 2000

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DVD Release Date: May 15, 2001

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Stats: 11,150 reviews

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Pay It Forward Pay It Forward Pay it forward Awwwwwww HJO in PIF Haley Joel Osment Pay It Forward_poster Pay It Forward Mr Simonet (Kevin Spacey) & Trevor (Haley Joel Osment) Pay It Forward Pay It Forward_teaserposter Pay It Forward
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Flixster Reviews (11,150)

  • bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    July 29, 2010
    bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    B-
  • ythelastman89
    May 23, 2010
    ythelastman89
    A really interesting movie with some great performances, but I feel like it was overly preachy, gimmicky and dramatic. I like the message to a degree, but the way it was handled made it seem like this was a public service announcement rather than a movie.
  • fb733768972
    March 10, 2010
    fb733768972
    This had a great touchiness to it, but in the end, the characters fall flat, but it doesn't matter, because the story is soo great, that it could hold any cast together! Great film!
  • cosmo313
    August 22, 2009
    cosmo313
    The concept of the film is good, and the story is alright, but the script is where there are problems. The script is ok, but then falls apart as it moves along. As a result, the film doesn't fully work, but even then I still recommend it anyway. The biggest issue is the ending: i... read moret's weak, feels forced, and is very contrived. I did lfind the movie enjoyable and inspiring, but it's overrated and pretty flawed. The acting is good though, but that's to be expected considering the talent involved. I liked the music too, despite the noncoincidental fact that it's very much like the composer's score for American Beauty (a bit). The movie has problems, but it's still watchable. VERY high B-.
  • FiLmCrAzY
    August 3, 2009
    FiLmCrAzY
    FANTASTIC, a true emotionally pwerful and all inspiring drama!
    Afantastic cast backed up with a fantastic storyline and a heartwarming drama that only people without emotions and feelings wouldnt enjoy!
    Spacey plays a disfigured social studies teacher who becomes more and more ... read moreattached to Haley joel osment character Trevor who is a troubled but to mature boy for his age and Helen Hunt plays his alcoholic mum who is nice enough through a real compelling drama that is inspiring and captivating, real with a watch!
  • imrealgod
    March 17, 2009
    imrealgod
    Since Kevin Spacey was there in this movie, I felt it would be interesting. But it turned out to be too disappointing.
  • Screeny
    February 22, 2009
    Screeny
    This is an excellent peice of film right here! A movie that shows how to make a better world and how to make a better society! This movie was absolutley amazing and i recomend it to everyone!
  • CrookedlittleB33
    May 11, 2008
    CrookedlittleB33
    Kevin Spacey uses big words! And dictionaries!
    And he's awesome...so it was a no-brainer...but the idea to this isn't all that bad either.

    Rather compelling, actually.
    More review...L-to-the-ATER.
  • sanjurosamurai
    January 3, 2008
    sanjurosamurai
    the end was a sad cry for a sympathetic oscar, im glad it didnt work. spaceys worst performance
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    December 10, 2007
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    Over sentimental yes, poignant, yes, heartbreaking, yes. Fantastic film, absolutely yes.

    The writing & storyline is phenomenal. The acting is way above par. Haley does it again. Helen is definitely on & Kevin is great as usual. So send this movie forward to all your friends. It... read mores a must see.

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Critic Reviews

Jeff Strickler
November 6, 2002
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Spacey and Hunt create interestingly layered characters who are hiding parts of themselves from themselves. And come Oscar time, Osment once again may be saying, 'I see tuxedoed people.' Full Review

Rick Groen
March 22, 2002
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

Less a worthy achievement than a nice try. Full Review

Peter Rainer
June 25, 2001
Peter Rainer, New York Magazine

With its smorgasbord of moralizings, Pay It Forward is a confusing welter of sentiment. Full Review

Peter Travers
June 4, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Not since Gump has there been such a pandering, faux-virtuous package of populist pap for Hollywood to shove in the faces of electioneering politicos and say: Look, we don't just market unwholesome sw...

Paul Tatara
January 1, 2000
Paul Tatara, CNN.com

Has to be the most oppressive 'feel good' picture in movie history. Full Review

John Anderson
January 1, 2000
John Anderson, Newsday

Keeps zigging and zagging between plots and subplots that don't really matter.

Todd McCarthy
January 1, 2000
Todd McCarthy, Variety

Osment truly is as good as it gets where kid thesps are concerned. Full Review

Carrie Rickey
January 1, 2000
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

It's a pretty nice movie until, like a Ponzi plan, it collapses.

Eric Harrison
January 1, 2000
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle

Wants so badly for us to feel something -- inspired, teary, shocked -- that it leaves us merely numb. Full Review

Bob Graham
January 1, 2000
Bob Graham, San Francisco Chronicle

Has all the elements of a satisfying movie except knowing when to stop. The rest is good enough, however, that it will do. Full Review

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Pay It Forward Trivia

  • Which actor appeared in all the following films: Forrest Gump, The Sixth Sense, Pay It Forward?  Answer »
  • Which one of these movies was Johnny Depp not in?  Answer »
  • Name the movie which involves a 7th grade student doing good deeds  Answer »
  • Which singer stared in the film "Pay it Forward"?  Answer »
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