Most young children believe in the goodness of human nature. Later on, parents start telling their kids those stories about being careful with strangers because parents know that the big bad world is…well…bad. As we get older, we start to see that maybe the world is not quite so perfect. We realize that maybe our parents do not always know the answers and that now that we are older, we have responsibility for our actions.
“Pay It Forward” is a movie about the big bad world and how we can each make it just that little bit better. 12-year-old Trevor Mckinney (played wonderfully, as always, by Haley Joel Osment) is given a project in school by his social studies teacher, Eugene Simonet (Kevin Spacey), 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 Jerry, a homeless man, and decides to make a difference in Jerry's life. Trevor then comes up with a plan for his project. He will do a good deed for three people and instead of "paying him back" they must each in turn do good deeds for three other people and "pay it forward". Each of those people must then pay it forward to three people each, and so on. Trevor's first good deed is to help Jerry by feeding and housing him so he can "get on his feet."
Trevor's mother, Arlene (Helen Hunt) is an alcoholic, single mother who is working two jobs. When she finds out Trevor is housing a homeless man she becomes angry with Trevor and confronts Eugene about the reason Trevor has allowed Jerry into their home. Eugene is also intrigued by Trevor's response to the social studies project.
Meanwhile, journalist Chris Chandler (Jay Mohr) finds himself stuck on the road without a car late one night after his 1965 Ford Mustang was damaged in a car accident. A stranger stops and gives him the keys to a brand new Jaguar S-type car, asking him only to pay the favor forward to someone else; astonished, Chris wants to find out where this philosophy came from.
For his next good deed Trevor decides to help Eugene by setting him up with his own mother. Their relationship comes along perfectly until Arlene's ex-husband Ricky (Jon Bon Jovi), shows up unannounced, claiming he is sober and Arlene decides to give him another chance. When things turn ugly and Arlene turns to Eugene when she discovers that Ricky is still the mean drunk he always was, Eugene is not willing to forgive her.
Chris finally tracks down Trevor as the originator of "pay it forward," and interviews him. Trevor explains his hopes for the concept, but expresses 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 realizes that he and Arlene should be together.
For his last good deed, Trevor decides to help a friend who is constantly tormented by bullies.
Without giving too much away, the movie promoted a truly inspiring message that reminds you that there is still good in the world and even if you are just one person, you can make amazing changes. If we all did a good deed for three different people, and then they in turn did a good deed for three more people, is that hard? No. Is it possible? Yes. Would it make a difference? You bet! Make a difference, pay it forward.
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