Movie Background
Movie Poster

Pay It Forward

Like some other children, 12-year-old Trevor McKinney held a firm belief in the goodness of people. Like many youngsters, he was resolved to make the world a better place. And unlike most children, he achieved it.

Director(s)

Mimi Leder

Steve Danton

David H. Venghaus Jr.

Julie Pitkanen

Paul Prenderville

Where to watch

Apple TV Store

Apple TV Store

Rent

Google Play Movies

Google Play Movies

Rent

YouTube

YouTube

Rent

Amazon Video

Amazon Video

Rent

Apple TV Store

Apple TV Store

Buy

Google Play Movies

Google Play Movies

Buy

YouTube

YouTube

Buy

Cast & Crew

Julie Pitkanen

Julie Pitkanen

-

David H. Venghaus Jr.

David H. Venghaus Jr.

-

Billie Perkins

Billie Perkins

Restaurant Patron (uncredited)

Kevin Spacey

Kevin Spacey

Eugene Simonet

Tim DeZarn

Tim DeZarn

Liquid Man #2

Jim Caviezel

Jim Caviezel

Jerry

Jonathan Nichols-Navarro

Jonathan Nichols-Navarro

Liquid Man #3

Tina Lifford

Tina Lifford

Principal

Jon Bon Jovi

Jon Bon Jovi

Ricky McKinney

Kathleen Wilhoite

Kathleen Wilhoite

Bonnie

Bernard White

Bernard White

Cop

David Ramsey

David Ramsey

Sidney Parker

Helen Hunt

Helen Hunt

Arlene McKinney

Molly Bernard

Molly Bernard

Molly

Angie Dickinson

Angie Dickinson

Grace

Rusty Meyers

Rusty Meyers

News Stand Guy

Paul Prenderville

Paul Prenderville

-

Steve Danton

Steve Danton

-

Jay Mohr

Jay Mohr

Chris Chandler

Zack Duhame

Zack Duhame

-

Gary Werntz

Gary Werntz

Mr. Thorsen

Haley Joel Osment

Haley Joel Osment

Trevor McKinney

Marc Donato

Marc Donato

Adam

Shawn Pyfrom

Shawn Pyfrom

Shawn

Colleen Flynn

Colleen Flynn

Woman on Bridge

Eugene Osment

Eugene Osment

Cop Who Gives Directions

Jeannetta Arnette

Jeannetta Arnette

Nurse

Bradley White

Bradley White

Jordan

Stephanie Feury

Stephanie Feury

Woman In Window

Sue Tripathy

Sue Tripathy

Female Newscaster

Frank Whiteman

Frank Whiteman

Doctor

Bob McCracken

Bob McCracken

Creepy Middle-Aged Man

Carrick O'Quinn

Carrick O'Quinn

-

Liza Snyder

Liza Snyder

Michelle

Mimi Leder

Mimi Leder

-

Leslie Dilley

Leslie Dilley

-

Hannah Leder

Hannah Leder

Thorsen's Daughter

Loren D. Baum

Loren D. Baum

Rough Kid #1

Nico Matinata

Nico Matinata

-

Alexandra Kotcheff

Alexandra Kotcheff

-

Christi Colombo

Christi Colombo

Christi

Phillip Stewart

Phillip Stewart

Phillip

Justin Parsons

Justin Parsons

Justin

Myeshia Dejore Walker

Myeshia Dejore Walker

Myeshia

Brenae Suzanne Davey

Brenae Suzanne Davey

Brenae

Andrew Patrick Flood

Andrew Patrick Flood

Andy

Tameila N. Turner

Tameila N. Turner

Tameila

Julian Correa

Julian Correa

Julian

Carrie Sullivan

Carrie Sullivan

School Girl

Patricia Deanda

Patricia Deanda

Change Girl

Ryan Berti

Ryan Berti

Hallway Kid #1

Gabriela Rivas

Gabriela Rivas

Hallway Kid #2

Tom Bailey

Tom Bailey

Liquid Man #1

Ron Keck

Ron Keck

Lowlife #1

John Powers

John Powers

Lowlife #2

Kendall Tenney

Kendall Tenney

Male Newscaster

Details

GenresDrama
Runtime2h 2 mins
Released on20 Oct 2000
Languageen
Produced InUnited States of America
Advertisement

Reviews

Reno

8/10

**The world can't change by itself, we must bring it.** After watching this film I just remembered the quote from 'Sullivan's Travels' which says 'film's the greatest educational medium the world has ever known'. Indeed, cinema's for entertainment as well acts as a message deliverer. This was an inspirational movie, and everybody must see it. I know I'm a bit late to see it, better late than never, right? I'm really glad for having it at the right time because 15 years ago I did not have this blog to write about it. OK, the name of the movie represents the theme of the story. No matter its a developed or developing country, society needs something like the idea this movie talks about. Carrying a good social message, the movie slightly lags behind the too much on the emotions, especially the end part. There won't be a problem if you like melodrama. Other than that, I feel the conclusion was smart and strong, a better solution which would appeal for certain group rather alternate finale. The film was based on the novel of the same name, crafted by a fine director with the wonderful cast. Haley Joel Osment had a great career as a child-star, you should check some of his films if you love children's movies including this title on the top of that list. As a middle aged actor, Helen Hunt's one of the last best performances before turning into a senior artist. It's not a usual role for Kevin Spacey, but he nailed it with the good dialogues. Especially his talk about the topic 'child abuse' was a great thing from the movie. Overall, the actors get more credit for the first- class acts as the script demanded for their respective roles. > What did you ever do to change the world. A movie about a man who achieved in science gets the Oscar, not that real man. A movie about a man escapes from the war prison camp and slavery gets the award, and again none of those real persons. But a movie with the original, intelligent, inspiring, specially designed for a movie was not even a contender of the Oscars. Of course, it was transformed from a book, though there are/were no real people behind these great characters, all are imagined/created for the book and the movie. I never understood the American Academy Awards. By now you would know that I hate critics badly if you are a regular reader of my blog. Once again they failed to recognise how great the morality of the story is, rather they have concentrated to criticise the writing and the technical aspect of the film. Although, it was not a box office flop or earned beyond, but got a lot of praise from the families. It's a wonderful family drama, but still too far from being a masterpiece. Intelligent enough one to get motivated towards the social issues. Being practical in the real world is a concern as it is risky, depending on the situation and the person, just like this movie's ending. Rare to find a movie like this, you must check it out. 8/10

All Trailers

Pay It Forward Trailer
Advertisement