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Pay It Forward

Pay It Forward

2000
Drama
2h 3m
Like some other kids, 12-year-old Trevor McKinney believed in the goodness of human nature. Like many other kids, he was determined to change the world for the better. Unlike most other kids, he succeeded.

Directed by:

Mimi Leder

Screenwriter:

Leslie Dixon, Catherine Ryan Hyde

Starring:

Haley Joel Osment, Jay Mohr, Kevin Spacey, Jim Caviezel, Helen Hunt, Angie Dickinson, David Ramsey, Jon Bon Jovi

Genre:

Drama

Country:

USA

Language:

English
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Pay It Forward

2000
Drama
2h 3m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 40.6% from 4001 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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cclzaCCLZA
Rated 04 May 2007
25
2nd
All the cast is exquisitely superb in this moral tale about what we have to do to not get "accidentally killed" at school and about paying forward our favors. Too bad they all didn't die in the end, it would've shown us even more of that beauty.
Rated 04 May 2007
joseywalesjoseywales
Rated 15 Jul 2015
35
12th
Helen Hunt's cleavage.
Rated 15 Jul 2015
recklessmessrecklessmess
Rated 12 Mar 2008
30
16th
I paid it forward by telling people not to waste their money or their time on this piece of shit.
Rated 12 Mar 2008
fuentissimoFuentissimo
Rated 29 Nov 2017
46
49th
One of those "I stayed at home sick so I'm already blowing my nose" movies. No surprises, plays out as you would expect. It's still sweet.
Rated 29 Nov 2017
mfitzgeraldM.Fitzgerald
Rated 05 Aug 2015
15
4th
Manipulative and boring, with a really annoying kid.
Rated 05 Aug 2015
timon88Timon88
Rated 25 Jun 2015
47
41st
I really wanted to hate this movie. But there are some touching, real scenes between some vulnerable, damaged folk, and.... maybe I'm just an old softie. Helen Hunt is not believable for a moment as undereducated white trash. Kevin Spacey is great.
Rated 25 Jun 2015
tamcamTamCam
Rated 24 Apr 2014
64
30th
It's so damn cheesy and so Hollywood and I know that it has this horrible, horrible moral, but... I still enjoyed watching it, even though it's not a piece of movie art.
Rated 24 Apr 2014
cultofsamecult_of_same
Rated 15 Nov 2008
5
4th
I am paying it forward by telling everyone I know to not even bother.
Rated 15 Nov 2008
senseisensei
Rated 20 Oct 2007
40
6th
How to Make an Oscar-Contender for Dummies -- the filmmakers followed the advice in this book a little too closely. What an obvious plea for award recognition. The pitch for Pay it probably sounded great, but it doesn't execute.
Rated 20 Oct 2007
slackerishslackerish
Rated 14 Aug 2007
35
25th
A stupidly sappy movie about a precoscious boy who's dumb social studies projet manages to CHANGE THE WORLD! Sorry folks, I just can't believe anything like this could ever happen in a world like this, as nice of a thought as that is.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
cambelcambel
Rated 14 Aug 2007
30
7th
dull
Rated 14 Aug 2007
slrsoapboxSlrSoapbox
Rated 14 Aug 2007
55
20th
Starts off like your usual inspirational feel-good message movie, and then it kicks you in the crotch.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
lachapellelachapelle
Rated 14 Aug 2007
43
13th
The cast in this movie is top notch. The book the movie is based off of is very good. The concept of "Pay it forward" is remarkable. This movie is a waste of all three. I don't know where it went wrong. Miscasting Spacey? Rewriting the ending? I couldn't tell you. But if you ever want to see a bad adaptation of a good book, read the book and then watch this film.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
boobjuiceBoobjuice
Rated 15 Jul 2007
23
25th
Oh, FUCK YOU "Pay it Forward"!
Rated 15 Jul 2007
brando814brando814
Rated 01 May 2007
31
20th
It's just so damn gay.
Rated 01 May 2007
doctor7doctor7
Rated 24 Feb 2007
12
6th
Haley Joel Osment looks like he's about to cry in every single scene, even ones where he should be happy. Tacked on tear jerking ending is almost laughable.
Rated 24 Feb 2007
krytonixkrytonix
Rated 04 Jan 2007
5
0th
Vomit inducingly bad.
Rated 04 Jan 2007
mlightle3mlightle3
Rated 27 Nov 2006
30
3rd
Too preachy. And, ok, did they have to kill the kid?
Rated 27 Nov 2006
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 19 Nov 2021
79
59th
A movie of mixed feelings and emotions - it shouldn't work as well as it does (and frankly I was rooting against it initially), but the combined star wattage of Spacey, Hunt and Osment makes the shamelessly manipulative drama work; all 3 stars make their characters specific, quirky and loveable in ways the screenplay can't quite support. Near-fatally overplays its hand at the denouement, whacking its audience with a sledgehammer when its point has already been made, and ending on a sour note.
Rated 19 Nov 2021
rcmaccrcmacc
Rated 17 May 2018
30
19th
A great message, an intriguing character, and great actors in a project looking like Oscar bait, only they left out the important part of luring in the Oscar noms: make a good movie. The plot is messy and is only wrapped up by a fight that comes out of nowhere unceremoniously killing off the main character for shock value and a forced emotional experience.
Rated 17 May 2018
mspraguemsprague
Rated 04 Feb 2018
67
52nd
A tear jerker.
Rated 04 Feb 2018
bobjim48Bobjim48
Rated 02 Nov 2016
100
68th
One of my top favorite films.
Rated 02 Nov 2016
francogonzoFrancoGonzo
Rated 21 Feb 2016
2
3rd
Star Rating: ★
Rated 21 Feb 2016
boxcarsBoxcars
Rated 31 May 2015
5
19th
Strong performances from the cast of characters are wasted on what turns out to be an emotionally manipulative and obnoxiously sanctimonious picture.
Rated 31 May 2015
mariasMariaS
Rated 27 Mar 2014
93
95th
Una linda y emocionante película con una terrible moraleja.
Rated 27 Mar 2014
rttntomatoesrttntomatoes
Rated 03 Jan 2014
40
17th
Pay It Forward has strong performances from Spacey, Hunt, and Osment, but the movie itself is too emotionally manipulative and the ending is bad.
Rated 03 Jan 2014
ashbyAshby
Rated 09 Mar 2013
72
38th
This movie comes from a time when Kevin Spacey could do no wrong. If I had to say one thing about it, it would be "bittersweet". It's one of the most uplifting and depressing movies I've ever seen at the same time. The script and development are excellent and it's definitely worth a watch.
Rated 09 Mar 2013
gianlabradogianlabrado
Rated 07 Jan 2013
78
50th
Good message.
Rated 07 Jan 2013
aversasAversaS
Rated 14 Aug 2012
90
96th
Great movie.
Rated 14 Aug 2012
baggerBagger
Rated 08 Aug 2012
55
23rd
There's a genuinely good movie in here. Until it turns into a heavyhanded (and boring) romance between Kevin Spacey and the mother.
Rated 08 Aug 2012
zehnrazehnra
Rated 01 May 2012
0
0th
I'd like to give this a good review...the bulk of the movie is entertaining and interesting. The ending just drags it all down so far, I can't will myself to give a good rating. I have the same problem with Cold Mountain. Life is too depressing for our "entertainment" to end like this.
Rated 01 May 2012
arandurarandur
Rated 04 Mar 2012
67
63rd
Iyilik yap deniz at, balik bilmezse halik bilir.
Rated 04 Mar 2012
katelynkatelyn
Rated 25 Feb 2012
65
14th
This movie pushes for a sort of utilitarian world which is simply something that cannot be achieved, so this ultimately lacks believability. Though that isn't always important, I feel as though it is in this case. I would say that they had a bit of success in the emotional appeal. I was drawn into the ideas portrayed and the characters' stories... I'll also admit that I shed a wee tear. Though, I get very emotionally sucked into films, so I suppose that should taken into consideration.
Rated 25 Feb 2012
sporke09sporke09
Rated 29 Dec 2011
97
96th
Great Movie! The concept of paying it forward is amazing. Makes me want to go out and pay it forward. Very sad ending. Definitely cried...Haley Joel Osment is a fantastic little actor.
Rated 29 Dec 2011
majikatmajikat
Rated 10 Dec 2011
85
90th
A re-watch for me and still one of the only films that manages to give me a lump in my throat. This film is just fantastic from the plot, to the acting, it just goes to show what can happen from a simple idea
Rated 10 Dec 2011
cmonsterCMonster
Rated 01 Sep 2011
49
24th
This has mixed reviews, especially here and for good reason. Its got plenty going for it and plenty that I could care less about. I give it less than 50 because him dying seemed pretty pointless.
Rated 01 Sep 2011
clevrtitaniaClevrTitania
Rated 05 Aug 2011
45
8th
This is the kind of review that's very personal and not particularly objective. I respected the idea behind Pay It Forward, but like many movies of its kind, the sentimentality and heart-string pulling gets so severe that I can't enjoy anything about it. It literally pisses me off by the end, because I'm just tired of it trying to force emotions on me instead of letting the actors do their job. And all that's without even mentioning the Erin Brokovich make-over of Helen Hunt.
Rated 05 Aug 2011
ptendencyPtendency
Rated 30 Jun 2011
89
75th
Excelente idea.. te deja pensandoo
Rated 30 Jun 2011
acornleyacornley
Rated 03 Feb 2011
60
79th
i love this film mainly because the homeless guy plays jesus in passion of the christ lol
Rated 03 Feb 2011
tsvetetsvete
Rated 07 Jan 2011
85
42nd
2
Rated 07 Jan 2011
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 20 Oct 2010
0
0th
"Sanctimonious drivel." - Ed Gonzalez
Rated 20 Oct 2010
sinclairSinclair
Rated 04 Sep 2010
39
2nd
Just a terrible, sachrine coated film
Rated 04 Sep 2010
sheddlesheddle
Rated 28 Jul 2010
35
22nd
rip trevor never forget
Rated 28 Jul 2010
joeliusJoelius
Rated 27 Jun 2010
30
38th
Although the film was strong they still felt it necessary to tack on the stereo typical ending so that everyone will know that doing good is tough.
Rated 27 Jun 2010
mr_qMr. Q
Rated 13 Feb 2010
98
99th
One of my all time favorites. Script is excellent, nothing too much is said, the developments are brilliant and so is the acting.
Rated 13 Feb 2010
foobekahFoobekah
Rated 14 Dec 2009
89
56th
Touching, but making the title character die was a cop out, in my book.
Rated 14 Dec 2009
pampaPampa
Rated 31 Oct 2009
100
97th
Esencial
Rated 31 Oct 2009
robosapienrobosapien
Rated 24 Oct 2009
1
6th
Haley Joel Osment dies. ^_^
Rated 24 Oct 2009
masteurfMasteuRF
Rated 08 Oct 2009
58
17th
Nice message, made me cry, but there's no brilliantism.
Rated 08 Oct 2009
countyhellcounty_hell
Rated 17 Sep 2009
40
18th
how many more times do we have to have a film cram a message down our throats? are we really that stupid as a race to not get that doing good will bring good back to you? problem is, in real life, that doesnt always happen. so here comes hollywood, with a wide-eyed, innocent child to teach us just that. i found it silly and sappy.
Rated 17 Sep 2009
myszatekMyszatek
Rated 07 Sep 2009
68
38th
Touching story about the boy who wants to change the world.
Rated 07 Sep 2009
ivanstrelivanstrel
Rated 19 Aug 2009
70
10th
I remember helen hunt. I remember the ending (no spoilers). The idea was great, but it seemed like the editor, director and writer were all burned as teenagers.
Rated 19 Aug 2009
blazewideblazewide
Rated 18 Aug 2009
80
30th
why cant people be this good in real life?
Rated 18 Aug 2009
judge_holdenJudge Holden
Rated 01 Aug 2009
2
15th
Points for the very satisfying ending. You know what I'm talking about.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 01 Aug 2009
25
17th
Annoying. Fuck off.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
pepsi_manPepsi-Man
Rated 21 Jul 2009
1
11th
Mildly creative storytelling doesn't make up for a manipulative film with no real message.
Rated 21 Jul 2009
bishopmlbishopml
Rated 07 Jul 2009
90
74th
Jim Caviezel, Helen Hunt, Kevin Spacey pull it off in this inspiring tale of how we should live life everyday, and how hard it is not to be a good person, doing one simple kind act can change people's lives forever. Also, what happen Hally Joel Osmont, another terrific young talent that has jsut sort of vanished. This movie will make you laugh and cry and want to do something good for the stranger next to you. Surprise cameo from Bon Jovi that man can act too.
Rated 07 Jul 2009
homunculushomunculus
Rated 19 Jun 2009
2
14th
I didn't hate it. I guess I think Haley Joel Osment is a bitch and it was fun to watch him die.
Rated 19 Jun 2009
grinsporkGrinspork
Rated 26 Apr 2009
60
22nd
Haley gets stabbed.
Rated 26 Apr 2009
rthornhillrthornhill
Rated 27 Mar 2009
92
81st
Enjoyed the message as well as the terrific presentation. Thumbs up!
Rated 27 Mar 2009
melvin_smifMelvin Smif
Rated 09 Feb 2009
25
28th
While I don't mind endings like the one in this movie if they have some meaning behind them, in fact I appreciate some movies for having the balls to do it. However, in this case, there was absolutely no reason for it, and it seemed they thought to themselves, hmmm.... lets make it sad so its more dramatic.
Rated 09 Feb 2009
zangZang
Rated 15 Jan 2009
80
66th
Very good and sad
Rated 15 Jan 2009
sandokanSandokan
Rated 12 Jan 2009
90
93rd
One of the best movies i have watched.
Rated 12 Jan 2009
uniquenameUniqueName
Rated 30 Dec 2008
71
38th
Interesting message movie drags on forever.
Rated 30 Dec 2008
gillyGilly
Rated 11 Dec 2008
80
71st
So sad :-(
Rated 11 Dec 2008
bbkd3bbbkd3b
Rated 03 Dec 2008
60
36th
I consider this a more, "if only" movie than anything else. But hey, Kevin Spacey and Jay Mohr! Sweeet! One extra e because i'm fresh like that.
Rated 03 Dec 2008
ohadOhad
Rated 30 Nov 2008
15
11th
Tearjerker for the sake of tearjerking; What's so sweet about a little boy hanging around adult strangers, making them owing him a favor? let me tell you, I start thinking the mob pays it forward all the time.
Rated 30 Nov 2008
watchdogwatchdog
Rated 24 Nov 2008
100
95th
Awsome Awsome Awsome one of the best ever
Rated 24 Nov 2008
irvinejumpirvinejump
Rated 10 Oct 2008
0
0th
The American NRA can use this piece of soppiness as an argument they need MORE guns, not less
Rated 10 Oct 2008
mckimsonMcKimson
Rated 27 Sep 2008
70
30th
Surprising its Theory of Pay it Forward , but it's too good to be true.
Rated 27 Sep 2008
nandorizzinandorizzi
Rated 01 Sep 2008
80
80th
Good movie, principally, for the great principal idea of the movie. Lose a little, trying to be dramatic to the extreme, but still a good movie.
Rated 01 Sep 2008
kavkav
Rated 12 Jul 2008
1
0th
Spirit-crushingly manipulative and pointless. Also features the worst ending I've ever seen, bar none.
Rated 12 Jul 2008
sorksork
Rated 02 Jun 2008
30
17th
Sappy. Trying to make a success out of a "feel-good" theme.
Rated 02 Jun 2008
natzillaNatzilla
Rated 11 May 2008
83
60th
Sappy but good.
Rated 11 May 2008
attached_eonAttached Eon
Rated 29 Apr 2008
20
2nd
I liked the concept. I hated everything else about the movie.
Rated 29 Apr 2008
critiquerscritiquers
Rated 05 Apr 2008
95
92nd
great movie... seriously... just great...
Rated 05 Apr 2008
john_lockeJohn Locke
Rated 04 Mar 2008
80
24th
Pretty good.
Rated 04 Mar 2008
snatit4387Snatit4387
Rated 29 Feb 2008
30
7th
Overly sentimenetal miss-step for everyone involved.
Rated 29 Feb 2008
johannaJohanna
Rated 24 Feb 2008
65
18th
If you really want to cry, this is it.
Rated 24 Feb 2008
mjvmoviemanMJVmovieMan
Rated 31 Jan 2008
52
23rd
The movie has an interesting perfect-world idea, but it's played out poorly, and ultimately depressing.
Rated 31 Jan 2008
altf4altf4
Rated 28 Dec 2007
8
5th
i hate manipulative, shallow movies, so naturally I loathed this
Rated 28 Dec 2007
doiresdoires
Rated 17 Nov 2007
10
4th
One of Kevin's worst decisions ever.
Rated 17 Nov 2007
lookinglandLookingLand
Rated 16 Nov 2007
10
15th
wretched overblown drama; points for hunter willing to look like trailer trash.
Rated 16 Nov 2007
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 12 Oct 2007
1
12th
I hate this movie and everyone in it.
Rated 12 Oct 2007
dustydDustyd
Rated 16 Sep 2007
55
30th
Very well acted, but very heavy handed. The finale is insulting
Rated 16 Sep 2007
joshk84joshk84
Rated 14 Sep 2007
50
19th
Honestly, I thought this movie could have been really good, but it never really took off for me. I found it kind of cheesy and pathetic towards the end.
Rated 14 Sep 2007
stflyst_fly
Rated 22 Aug 2007
80
80th
Very good
Rated 22 Aug 2007
agentsnipeAgentSnipe
Rated 14 Aug 2007
50
5th
A great and talented cast, however this is very heavy melodrama. It's noble concept and a nice story, but it's kind of weighed down by it's own self-importance.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
yilbyilb
Rated 14 Aug 2007
40
25th
After seeing this picture i got two completely divergent reviews (via electronic mail) both asking me to "spam it forward." That this movie lends itself to spam is interesting in itself. Clever construction, moves nicely, good performances. Excellent well presented idea. The interactions & events become increasingly contrived, so fake that belief is impossible. Finally it breaks into a child Jesus story, I'm being preached to & manipulated, not a very good feeling.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
grimsoothgrimsooth
Rated 14 Aug 2007
65
67th
A good story about redemption and it's price.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
sushiwritersushiwriter
Rated 14 Aug 2007
61
14th
BOR-RING
Rated 14 Aug 2007
waitsupwaitsup
Rated 14 Aug 2007
54
23rd
I wanted to like this movie, i really did
Rated 14 Aug 2007
tripleshTripleSH
Rated 14 Aug 2007
91
93rd
Quite the tearjerker if I do say so myself. There are a lot of good characters in this one, and you can see why there was so much hype about Haley Joel Osment once upon a time. Plus, Jim Caviezel is really great as Jerry.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 14 Aug 2007
35
14th
Someone please kill Haley Joel Osment.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
matthias99Matthias99
Rated 13 Jul 2007
89
59th
Interesting idea, and Spacey is great as always.
Rated 13 Jul 2007
nick007nick_007
Rated 15 May 2007
97
94th
Great film. Very touching with a strong meaning to it. Must see.
Rated 15 May 2007
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 04 Apr 2007
2
21st
MESSAGE MOVIE
Rated 04 Apr 2007
arkraiserArkraiser
Rated 31 Mar 2007
30
5th
Touchy-feely bullshit for two hours, then we get treated to a first-class shanking!
Rated 31 Mar 2007
martrynmartryn
Rated 27 Mar 2007
65
37th
Didn't really feel for the kid that much. Pretty shitty way to end the film, but, meh. We all saw it coming from the opening scenes so it's not like anyone is surprised. Movie does what you expect it to without pulling out any surprises or being that inspirational.
Rated 27 Mar 2007
nilkynarfynilkynarfy
Rated 25 Mar 2007
20
13th
More emo porn. Watch it with your girlfriend, if she has no taste...
Rated 25 Mar 2007

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