Heavy-handed, saccharine message somehow goes down good.
63
Philadelphia InquirerCarrie Rickey
Philadelphia InquirerCarrie Rickey
It's a pretty nice movie until, like a Ponzi plan, it collapses.
63
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
With a cleaner story line, the basic idea could have been free to deliver. As it is, we get a better movie than we might have, because the performances are so good.
50
Washington PostDesson Thomson
Washington PostDesson Thomson
It's too bad about the ending because, until then, Pay It Forward... is Hollywood feel-goodism at its best.
50
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
Too high-minded to stoop as low as it does, particularly in its unforgivably manipulative ending.
50
San Francisco ExaminerWesley Morris
San Francisco ExaminerWesley Morris
There's the world-alteringly scary possibility that (Leder) might be trying to kill us with a star-studded "After School Special."
No wonder Arlene (Hunt) keeps a bottle of vodka in the chandelier. You would too with this demonic, passive-aggressive, New Age munchkin (Osment) trying to run your life.