dh1989
06-12-2003, 09:26 AM
"Pay It Forward"
http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0223897/7
Plot: "A school social studies assignment leads to social changes that spread from city-to-city. Assigned to come up with some idea that will improve mankind, a young boy (Haley Joel Osment) decides that if he can do three good deeds for someone and they in turn can "pay it forward" and so forth, positive changes can occur. What appears to initially be a failure, is indeed a success that is not immediately known but is traced backwards by a reporter who is a benefactor. The initial recipients of the boy are a drug addict (James Caveziel), his badly scarred school teacher (Kevin Spacey), and his alcoholic mother (Helen Hunt). While physically and mentally scarred by past events, the teacher is not the only one bearing scars. The young boy fears his mother's fate, particularly her fate at his brutal, alcoholic father's (Jon Bon Jovi) hands. The mother also bears scars from her childhood with a homeless, alcoholic mother (Angie Dickinson)."
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt, Haley Joel Osment, Jay Mohr, James Caviezel, Angie Dickinson, and Jon Bon Jovi.
Directed By: Mimi Leder (Deep Impact).
Written By: Leslie Dixon (The Thomas Crown Affair).
http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0223897/4
Review: Pay It Forward was predicted to be a huge Oscar contender as the clock striked midnight on 1/1/00, but post-release, it was considered a let-down by many. Most critics used words such as "corny" or "manipulative" to describe the dramatic piece. I felt these reviews were completely wrong. I saw this at a sneak preview a week before its release, and I fell in love with this offbeat film. The cast is excellent and the director capable. An underrated masterpiece.
Kevin Spacey stars as Gene Simonet, a 7th grade Social Studies instructor in the seedy city of Las Vegas. This is Spacey's best work to this date. He's no less than brilliant as the teacher who has scars physically and emotionally. A performance that, at moments, is uplifting and, at others, terribly depressing. I applaud Spacey for giving such a raw performance with so many moods and emotions.
Helen Hunt plays a struggling mother named Arlene McKinney. Arlene works 3 jobs and barely gets to spend any time with her son. On top of all her troubles, she has a serious drinking problem, much to the chagrin of her son (Osment). Hunt, a comedic sitcom actress for many years on Mad About You, is amazing here. Like Spacey's character, Arlene is a sad and flawed human character. Hunt really suprised me with the caliber of her performance. I'd expect this kind of greatness from the likes of Streep, Hepburn, or Sarandon, not Hunt, but, as I said, I was truly suprised.
Haley Joel Osment rounds out the leads as the film's main character, Trevor McKinney, the concerned, thoughtful, and smart young man who invents "Pay It Forward". Osment, at such a tender age, gives a thought-provoking and quiet performance.
I must say, all three leads gave Oscar-worthy performances!
The film itself is just perfect for what it is. I felt moved by it. I rank it much higher than films such as American Beauty. An excellent small picture that I believe people who go in with an open mind and heart shall enjoy.
P.S. Call me a sissy, but I was in tears at the end. :(
9/10
http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0223897/1
http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0223897/7
Plot: "A school social studies assignment leads to social changes that spread from city-to-city. Assigned to come up with some idea that will improve mankind, a young boy (Haley Joel Osment) decides that if he can do three good deeds for someone and they in turn can "pay it forward" and so forth, positive changes can occur. What appears to initially be a failure, is indeed a success that is not immediately known but is traced backwards by a reporter who is a benefactor. The initial recipients of the boy are a drug addict (James Caveziel), his badly scarred school teacher (Kevin Spacey), and his alcoholic mother (Helen Hunt). While physically and mentally scarred by past events, the teacher is not the only one bearing scars. The young boy fears his mother's fate, particularly her fate at his brutal, alcoholic father's (Jon Bon Jovi) hands. The mother also bears scars from her childhood with a homeless, alcoholic mother (Angie Dickinson)."
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt, Haley Joel Osment, Jay Mohr, James Caviezel, Angie Dickinson, and Jon Bon Jovi.
Directed By: Mimi Leder (Deep Impact).
Written By: Leslie Dixon (The Thomas Crown Affair).
http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0223897/4
Review: Pay It Forward was predicted to be a huge Oscar contender as the clock striked midnight on 1/1/00, but post-release, it was considered a let-down by many. Most critics used words such as "corny" or "manipulative" to describe the dramatic piece. I felt these reviews were completely wrong. I saw this at a sneak preview a week before its release, and I fell in love with this offbeat film. The cast is excellent and the director capable. An underrated masterpiece.
Kevin Spacey stars as Gene Simonet, a 7th grade Social Studies instructor in the seedy city of Las Vegas. This is Spacey's best work to this date. He's no less than brilliant as the teacher who has scars physically and emotionally. A performance that, at moments, is uplifting and, at others, terribly depressing. I applaud Spacey for giving such a raw performance with so many moods and emotions.
Helen Hunt plays a struggling mother named Arlene McKinney. Arlene works 3 jobs and barely gets to spend any time with her son. On top of all her troubles, she has a serious drinking problem, much to the chagrin of her son (Osment). Hunt, a comedic sitcom actress for many years on Mad About You, is amazing here. Like Spacey's character, Arlene is a sad and flawed human character. Hunt really suprised me with the caliber of her performance. I'd expect this kind of greatness from the likes of Streep, Hepburn, or Sarandon, not Hunt, but, as I said, I was truly suprised.
Haley Joel Osment rounds out the leads as the film's main character, Trevor McKinney, the concerned, thoughtful, and smart young man who invents "Pay It Forward". Osment, at such a tender age, gives a thought-provoking and quiet performance.
I must say, all three leads gave Oscar-worthy performances!
The film itself is just perfect for what it is. I felt moved by it. I rank it much higher than films such as American Beauty. An excellent small picture that I believe people who go in with an open mind and heart shall enjoy.
P.S. Call me a sissy, but I was in tears at the end. :(
9/10
http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0223897/1