# Pay It Forward (2000)

### reviewed by
Homer Yen

    "Pay It Forward" Noble in Thought but Not in Deed
    by Homer Yen
    (c) 2000

In "Pay It Forward" (based on Catherine Ryan Hyde's recent book), a melodrama brimming with cynicism, we see that bad things happen to good people. What's worse, the more good you do, the more you'll get punished for it.

Victimized most by this odd paradox is 7th grader Trevor (Haley Joel Osment). He performs these magnanimous acts of kindness because his erudite Social Studies teacher, Mr. Simonet (Kevin Spacey), has challenged the classroom with an extra credit assignment: "come up with an idea to change our world and put it into action." The unusually benevolent Trevor comes up with a pyramid-like scheme of 'pay-it-forward' where he'll perform an act of kindness for three strangers, and they, in turn, must do the same. But in a cynical world where strangers are more likely to be considered enemies rather than friends, charity is looked upon with suspicion. Even worse, kindness may yield cruel consequences.

Appropriately set in Las Vegas, where losers outnumber winners 20-to-1. "Pay It Forward" makes it clear that the world is full of problems, from wife battering to drug addiction to a wanton need for violence. Yet, amid this chaos, there are glimmers of hope that shine through. This beacon of optimism centers on Trevor and his 'pay it forward' idea. For example, he invites a homeless man (James Caviezel) to come over and sleep in the garage. He also hopes to save his friend from a brutal beating by a group of bullies. Each provides a valuable lesson, challenging us to overcome our suspicion towards others and to risk leaving our comfort zone.

Trevor also tries to make a love match for his mom (Helen Hunt) and Mr. Simonet. Most of the film centers on this plot component. His mom is an irresponsible parent who frequently drinks herself to sleep after pulling double-shifts as a waitress at a strip club. Meanwhile, Mr. Simonet suffers from a scarred psyche that confines him to the prosaic life he now leads. The two are given a chance to explore their pasts, their hopes, and to come to terms with their personal struggles. But their story seems familiar and only partially engaging. Of course, it's a pleasure to watch Hunt and Spacey perform. She gives a gritty and strong performance as the alcoholic mom. Spacey is adept at portraying the vulnerable and wounded man. And Osment shows us that his Oscar-nominated turn in the "Sixth Sense" was no fluke.

But their performances could not hide the film's shortcomings. It's stylistically bland and the screenplay is weak. The story lingers much too long on the Mom/Mr. Simonet element, creating an odd sense of imbalance. With so much of the film focused on this, its original premise becomes supplanted by a love story. It also teases the audience with an idea that it wants to like, but then gets mired in a tone that's continually dispirited and even weepy. The message contained within is that the world is a ball of blighted hope. For Trevor, a mere 12-year old, a small beacon can get easily snuffed out when there is so much to filter through. Consequently, the film tempers its feel-good tone with rejection, sorrow, and defeat. The ending is shamelessly treacly, and whether you'll accept that payoff depends on your tolerance for "Patch Adams." Ultimately, this film presents noble thoughts, but doesn't fulfill its promise.

    Grade: B-

    S:        1 out of 3
    L:        1 out of 3
    V:        2 out of 3

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