"Pay It Forward" is an inspiring film, a lesson of life and a hope for a better tomorrow. As for the story, it is quite interesting, original and unique. It's a story of its own, doesn't imitate anything and doesn't even try to do so.
The whole "pay it forward" movement comes up as a brilliant idea from the mind of little Trevor McKinney (what a beautiful name!). This splendid idea consists in doing a good deed for three people, who must (each one) in return do good deeds for three other people - in a try to make a better world. Ahhh, isn't that sweet?
But this is also a very realistic movie that deals with serious and heavy subjects, such as the world, alcoholism, drugs, social studies, school, bullies, violence, people's lives, family relationships, the society and others. All of this without forgetting that the movie is a take on a cruel and selfish world.
Trevor McKinney is a great little hero. He is one of the bravest and nicest kids ever put on the screen. Although only 11-12 years old, he has the maturity of an adult. He's a kid with a heart of gold. Brilliant performance by Haley Joel Osment. Even his facial expressions are brilliant, as well as the way he changes his emotions all over the movie: frustrated, angry, furious, desperate, pessimist, happy, funny and in tears. Amazing!
Kevin Spacey is great as the teacher Eugene Simonet. He is the one who gives the class project in social studies, which aim is to «Think of an idea to change our world and put it into action!». Spacey is so much better in a serious role like this than in most other roles he plays.
Helen Hunt, while not as good as Haley and Kevin, has nevertheless a good acting as Trevor's mother. The famous singer Jon Bon Jovi is quite good in his minor role as Trevor's alcoholic and abusive father. I like Marc Donato's performance either as Trevor's friend Adam.
The soundtrack is beautiful, especially Thomas Newman's instrumental music and the song "Calling All Angels" (by Jane Siberry). A beautiful homage in memory of Trevor at the end. As for Thomas Newman's musics, they're so calm, relaxing and peaceful to hear. Truly a delight for the soul.
The ending is very sad and shocking. Trevor is stabbed by those horrible kids and dies. The creepy story of how Eugene got his burns is also though. Such an emotional movie that we really feel for the characters.
But not everything is sad. There is a reasonable number of funny moments. Trevor is often amusing and Eugene is fun sometimes. One of the funniest sequences is when Trevor is watching wrestling, overexcited.
The whole "pay it forward" movement comes up as a brilliant idea from the mind of little Trevor McKinney (what a beautiful name!). This splendid idea consists in doing a good deed for three people, who must (each one) in return do good deeds for three other people - in a try to make a better world. Ahhh, isn't that sweet?
But this is also a very realistic movie that deals with serious and heavy subjects, such as the world, alcoholism, drugs, social studies, school, bullies, violence, people's lives, family relationships, the society and others. All of this without forgetting that the movie is a take on a cruel and selfish world.
Trevor McKinney is a great little hero. He is one of the bravest and nicest kids ever put on the screen. Although only 11-12 years old, he has the maturity of an adult. He's a kid with a heart of gold. Brilliant performance by Haley Joel Osment. Even his facial expressions are brilliant, as well as the way he changes his emotions all over the movie: frustrated, angry, furious, desperate, pessimist, happy, funny and in tears. Amazing!
Kevin Spacey is great as the teacher Eugene Simonet. He is the one who gives the class project in social studies, which aim is to «Think of an idea to change our world and put it into action!». Spacey is so much better in a serious role like this than in most other roles he plays.
Helen Hunt, while not as good as Haley and Kevin, has nevertheless a good acting as Trevor's mother. The famous singer Jon Bon Jovi is quite good in his minor role as Trevor's alcoholic and abusive father. I like Marc Donato's performance either as Trevor's friend Adam.
The soundtrack is beautiful, especially Thomas Newman's instrumental music and the song "Calling All Angels" (by Jane Siberry). A beautiful homage in memory of Trevor at the end. As for Thomas Newman's musics, they're so calm, relaxing and peaceful to hear. Truly a delight for the soul.
The ending is very sad and shocking. Trevor is stabbed by those horrible kids and dies. The creepy story of how Eugene got his burns is also though. Such an emotional movie that we really feel for the characters.
But not everything is sad. There is a reasonable number of funny moments. Trevor is often amusing and Eugene is fun sometimes. One of the funniest sequences is when Trevor is watching wrestling, overexcited.