 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Pay It Forward
- Review Date: May 7, 2003
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2000
Common Sense Media says
A bit syrupy, but sentimental teens may enjoy it.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie has some strong language, and characters abuse alcohol and drugs, including heroin and marijuana. There are references to the most severe domestic abuse. There are some fights, one resulting in mortal injury. A character attempts suicide. Another shoots his gun, though no one is injured. A character dies tragically. There are sexual references and a discreet sexual situation. A character's burn scars may be upsetting. Pre-teens and teens may be especially concerned by the violence that occurs at a school, despite the metal-detectors kids walk through as they enter.
What's the story?
Seventh grader Trevor (Haley Joel Osment) has every reason to believe that life is harsh and painful. His parents are alcoholics and his father is either absent or abusive. He walks into school every day through a metal detector. Outside his classroom window is an endless expanse of desert. And his mom works two jobs in a city filled with despair, Las Vegas. But then his teacher Eugene (Kevin Spacey) encourages his students to "backflip" the world into something better. He does not expect much -- maybe a clean-up of some graffiti. But Trevor decides to do three important favors for people who need them. Then, instead of allowing them to pay it back, he will ask each of them to "pay it forward," doing three favors for other people, and asking them to do the same. One of Trevor's favors is to bring his mom Arlene and Eugene together, though it turns out that it is not just to make them happier. Arlene and Eugene put all of their effort into making sure they do not get hurt again until they learn that it is risking hurt that makes us alive.
Is it any good?
If the theme of PAY IT FORWARD appeals to you and you'd like to see three of the finest actors ever put on film, then you are the audience for this movie. If it sounds syrupy, go see something else. Haley Joel Osment portrays Trevor as an extraordinary child, wise and sensitive beyond his years because of what he has had to face, but still completely believable as an 11-year-old. Helen Hunt is heartbreaking as Arlene, a recovering alcoholic with a history of loss and abuse. And Kevin Spacey is breathtaking in a role that is a departure from the tough and wily guys he often plays.
Trevor's idea doesn't always work, but when it does, people are transformed, not by the favors others do for them as much as by the favors they do for the next people in the chain. We get a glimpse of its impact as the story is interwoven with scenes four months into the future, as a reporter tries to track down the source of the mysterious acts of generosity.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the pay it forward idea. Would it work? What favors would family members like to do? Why is "routine" so important to Eugene? Why do we see him ironing his shirt twice in the movie? Why do we see Eugene sitting at a student's desk when he talks to Trevor? Why does Trevor say that "it has to be hard?" Families should also talk about Trevor's comment that the most important thing is watching people, paying attention to things they may not even know they need. Some families will also want to dicuss whether there is a religious allusion in the death of one character.
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- Teens & kids
AGE
An amazing and emotional film
this one of my favorite movies. some of it may not be completely ippropriate, but the overall message is what really sticks, and it is definetely a good message. This movie definetely deserves its PG-13 rating. It is an AMAZING movie, and anyone who watchs it will love it.
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AGE
Excellent movie with a good world view
This movie is based on a true story, which makes it better.
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AGE
great acting in this movie, makes you cry throughout the whole movie especially the end
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AGE
A wonderful movie
This was a touching movie, although some people may not like it. It was well acted, but I did not like the ending. I thought it was just put in so there was a sad moment, but overall it was still a great movie.
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AGE
Brilliant Motion Picture
*Sex - Mother works at a strip club
*Violence - Stabbing near end
*Language - Frequent profanity
*Social Behavior - The point of the movie was about helping other people
*Commercialism - None
*Drugs/Alcohol - Child helps mother beat drinking problem
Rating:***** (5/5)
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AGE
Okay for mature and older children
I thought that "Pay It Forward" was a great movie... But look out for language. (3 times the word: Jesus christ is yelled) I know that it is based on a true story so it should decrease the crime level. Long Live Haley Joel Osmont! _ _
l l
o
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AGE
Pretty Good
Pretty Good. I mean I thought it would be a really bad movie but it turned out to be pretty good. I was watching tv when my mom changed the channel to this so I had no choice. she said it was good and my mom has good taste so yeah that's why. PS: I was going to cry at the ending.
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AGE
Good concept, but the movie has some funny moments, but mostly sad moments that are too much for teens.
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AGE
SAD
this movie was incredibly sad. The movie is about a young 11/12 year old boy trying to make a difference in the world. The movie does claerly have many positive messaes about carring for others to make the world a better place and helping people in need ect......... But even though the film has positive messages you must keep in mind it is a very sad and somewhat vilont film. Characters talk about abuse they suffered or someone else suffered including beating and burning. Some vilonce iseven shown on screen including a young boy being stabbed in the stomach and constint somewhat scary arguments between characters. The ending is sad and heartbreaking but the ending does show that if you try hard and dont give up you can make a diffrence. Some parts of this film i have to edmit where even to intense for me to watch. That is why i recomend pay it forward to teens ages 13 and up.
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AGE
o my gosh!
i frikin love this movie, has an absolute fabulous message. deep for sure so uh probably not best for kids under 12. honestly, i wouldnt watch it again, its a one time movie for me, its quite sad, for anyone who hasn't watched it, it is sad so i recommend watching a comedy or something. aside from the sadness it has some of its funny parts, most certainly touching i mean ive never really been touched by many movies but this makes the the list. i would recommend it to anyone, just know that its sad, also i think Haley Joel Osment does a fantastic job. he plays as an 11 almost twelve year old seventh grader named Trevor who has every right to hate like, but he takes this social studies class with Mr. Simonet (Kevin Spacey, who also does a fantastic job) Mr. Simonet encourages the kids to go out and make a difference in the world. Trevor goes out and starts something called "the pay it forward plan" meaning if i did something nice for you, you would have to go out and keep the chain of good deeds going. I don't want to say to much, its a movie you'll just have to watch. I can't say enough about it, i love it, and thats rare for me to like a sad movie.
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| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Mimi Leder |
| Cast: | Haley Joel Osment, Helen Hunt, Kevin Spacey |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 123 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 20, 2000 |
| DVD release date: | May 15, 2001 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | mature thematic elements including substance abuse/recovery, some sexual situations, language and brief violence |
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