Pay It Forward (2000)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Mimi Leder

Writers (WGA):

Catherine Ryan Hyde (book)
Leslie Dixon (screenplay)

Release Date:

20 October 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Like some other kids, 12-year-old Trevor McKinney believed in the goodness of human nature. Like many other kids, he was determined to change the world for the better. Unlike most other kids, he succeeded.

Plot:

A young boy attempts to make the world a better place after his teacher gives him that chance.

Plot Keywords:

Teacher | Young Boy | Good Deed | Alcoholism | Forgiveness

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Kevin Spacey	...	Eugene Simonet
Helen Hunt	...	Arlene McKinney
Haley Joel Osment	...	Trevor McKinney
Jay Mohr	...	Chris Chandler
James Caviezel	...	Jerry
Jon Bon Jovi	...	Ricky McKinney
Angie Dickinson	...	Grace
David Ramsey	...	Sidney Parker
Gary Werntz	...	Mr. Thorsen
Colleen Flynn	...	Woman on Bridge
Marc Donato	...	Adam
Kathleen Wilhoite	...	Bonnie
Liza Snyder	...	Michelle
Jeanetta Arnette	...	Nurse (as Jeannetta Arnette)
Hannah Werntz	...	Thorsen's Daughter

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements including substance abuse/recovery, some sexual situations, language and brief violence

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:10 | Malaysia:U | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:14A (Manitoba) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Ontario) | South Korea:12 | Philippines:PG-13 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Denmark:11 | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Germany:12 (w) | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Bradbury Building - 304 S. Broadway, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Several pieces of promotional material (including some press kits) mistakenly referred to Kevin Spacey's character as Reuben Simone.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Just before Eugene reveals his childhood story to Arlene, Eugene steps out of his car. The camera man and the light from his camera is reflected in the window and door of the car.

Quotes:

Jerry: You ever been on the street?
Arley: My mom took us pretty close.
Jerry: Well, you can't know. Not until you look at a dumpster. But when you climb into that thing for the first time and you pull those newspapers over you, that's when you know you've messed your life up. Somebody comes along like your son, and gives me a leg up, I'll take it. Even from a kid, I'll take it.

Movie Connections:

Features "WCW Monday Nitro" (1995)

Soundtrack:

New

Unforgettable

In our world helping other people is perhaps the most important we can do. Children are the ones who often teach us how to behave in certain unpleasant circumstances. It is not only a moving story but everybody who sees this film stops for a moment or more and think over the meaning of life. One of the best American films I have ever seen with lots of good actors. Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt are wonderful. In secondary schools it should be a compulsory part of education. I am a teacher and when I want to talk about this topic I always choose this film and students find it a very good example, too. It has not got a happy ending like it often happens in life. It is not a stupid story, it gives us lots of extras. When I first watched it, at the end of the film I was full of emotions and just could not sleep for a while. To put it into a nutshell: Try it and pay attention to Pay it forward.