thank god my rentals are free (Pay It Forward (DVD))

Member Name: nwheatstone

Product:	Pay It Forward (DVD)
Date:	27/07/01 (22 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good acting performances

Disadvantages: schmaltz, poor script

I really wanted to like this film. I really did. Kevin Spacey is a fantastic actor (The Usual Suspects, Swimming with Sharks), Helen Hunt is, well, Helen Hunt (Oscar winner for As Good as it Gets) and I really loved Haley Joel Osment's performance in Sixth Sense. I like the occasional schmaltzy movie (when those hormones are playing up no doubt) - in fact, It's a Wonderful Life is one of my all time favourite ever films. So's Harvey, so don't be calling me cynical by any means.

Unfortunately the whole thing just goes pear shaped. The idea is good- Kevin (Haley Joel Osment) is set a project by his new teacher (a hideously burnt Kevin Spacey) which involves coming up with an idea to change the world. Kevin comes up with 'pay it forward' which involves doing huge hard favours / deeds for three other people (including his hideously haired, alcoholic mom Helen Hunt) who must, in turn, pass favours on to three more people until the whole world is a happy, shiny 'Oprah-esque' place. Unfortunately it does not go to plan and there-in the drama lies.

This plot line is highly commendable and the actors do act their little hearts out and put in some good performances but the plot can only drag them down. There is shameless audience manipulation throughout with each character being either physically or emotionally damaged to a ridiculous degree. In fact, it put me off going to Las Vegas (where the story is set) because I am now under the impression they only let in wife beaters, child beaters and alcoholics (also see Leaving Las Vegas) but it is the denouement which had me shouting at the TV and laughing hysterically (rather than the required sobbing) and which ultimately loses this film any credibility it may have had. Basically, overkill. To the max. I would love to tell you, I really would, but maybe you will want to watch this and I'm really not that cruel.

In conclusion, I can only imagine the leads saw further
Oscar glory after reading through about half of this script and signed the dotted line. If only they had read to the end.

By the way, did I mention that I really am not a cynical person.

Summary: