Pay It Forward (film)

Pay It Forward
File:PayItForward.jpg Pay It Forward film poster
Directed by	Mimi Leder
Written by	Catherine Ryan Hyde, Leslie Dixon
Produced by	Mary McLaglen, Jonathan Treisman, Steven Reuther, Peter Abrams, Robert L. Levy (II), Paddy Carson, Leslie Dixon, Mary McLagen, Robert L. Levy
Starring	Haley Joel Osment, Helen Hunt, Kevin Spacey, James Caviezel, Jay Mohr, James Marsden, Angie Dickinson
Distributed by	Warner Brothers
Release dates	October 20, 2000
Running time	122 min
Language	English

Pay It Forward is a 2000 American drama/romance film based on a book by Catherine Ryan Hyde.

Plot

A school boy named Trevor McKinney (Haley Joel Osment) is given a project to complete by his social studies teacher Eugene Simonet (Kevin Spacey). His task is to come up with a plan that will change the world through direct action. On his way home from school later that day, Trevor notices a homeless man, Jerry (James Caviezel) and decides to make a difference to Jerry's life. Trevor then comes up with the eponymous plan to "pay it forward" by doing a good deed for three people who must in turn each do good deeds for three other people. Trevor's plan is to help Jerry by feeding and housing him so he can "get on his feet".

The next morning, Trevor's mother, Arlene McKinney (Helen Hunt), a single mother and recovering alcoholic, becomes angry with Trevor after finding Jerry in their house. She then confronts Eugene about why Trevor has allowed Jerry into their home. Eugene is also intrigued by Trevor's response to the social studies project.

Later that night back at their home, Trevor confronts his mother about her alcoholism and in a fit of anger she slaps him across the face for the first time. Trevor runs away from home and she contacts Eugene to help her find him. They find Trevor at a bus station about to be molested by a pedophile, whom Eugene promptly and drags away into the bathroom next to him and decretely convinces him to regret his decision. Trevor and Arlene embrace in relief after Arlene apologizes profusely.

Meanwhile, Chris (Jay Mohr) a journalist, is trying to find out why a total stranger gave him a brand new car after Chris' old vehicle was damaged in a car accident. The stranger's only explanation is that he is simply "paying it forward".

After Trevor's apparently unsuccessful attempt to help Jerry, he decides to help Eugene by setting him up with his mother. Their relationship grows in strength until Arlene's ex-husband (Jon Bon Jovi) shows up unannounced and Arlene decides to give him another chance, who claims he has "changed" and has quit alcohol.

When Arlene later tries to explain her choice to Eugene, the audience learns how Eugene's burns were the result of terrible child abuse by Eugene's father. Eugene is concerned not just about the abusive and violent nature of Trevor's father, but that the simple absence of a loving father is detrimental to Trevor's well being. Arlene feels that she must nevertheless give her ex husband another chance, but shortly thereafter he becomes angry and violent and it appears that he has not in fact stopped drinking alcohol. Arlene realises what a terrible mistake she has made. She feels that Eugene will never take her back, and Eugene for his part is not prepared to rekindle the relationship.

Chris finally tracks down Trevor as the originator of "pay it forward", which appears to be turning into a social movement, and conducts an interview at the school. Trevor explains his hopes for the concept, but voices his concerns that people may be too afraid to change their own lives in order to make the whole world a better place. Eugene and Arlene are both present during the interview. When Eugene hears Trevor's words he realises that he and Arlene should be together.

As Eugene and Arlene reconcile with a passionate embrace, they hear shouts and scuffling outside. Trevor has come to the defence of a friend who is being attacked by bullies, and is trying to fight them off although they are older and bigger. As Eugene and Arlene run down to stop the fight, the main bully impulsively pulls a knife and stabs Trevor. Trevor is rushed to hospital but dies from the stabbing.

Terribly distraught, Arlene and Eugene are later watching a television news report about "pay it forward" and Trevor's death, and learn that the movement has grown nationwide. Venturing outside, they witness hundreds of people gathering in a vigil to pay their respects to Trevor, while more people are arriving in a constant stream of vehicles visible off into the distance.

Life imitating art

The idea of the book and film has been brought to life by the Pay It Forward Foundation, and through the work of social activist Jane Tewson and the non-profit organization she founded, Timebank.

In October 2005, Syracuse University's Residence Hall Association began a Pay It Forward Campaign on campus. It spread on campus rapidly, and was noted for entering mainstream Syracuse society as a result. Many other schools have now begun campaigns such as this as well.

Main cast

• Haley Joel Osment — Trevor McKinney
• Helen Hunt — Arlene McKinney
• Kevin Spacey — Eugene Simonet
• James Caviezel — Jerry
• Jay Mohr — Chris Chandler
• Angie Dickinson — Grace