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Pay It Forward (2000)

PG_13 123 min  -  Drama | Romance  -   20 October 2000 (USA)
6.9
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Ratings: 6.9/10 from 53,602 users   Metascore: 40/100 
Reviews: 640 user | 155 critic | 34 from Metacritic.com

A young boy attempts to make the world a better place after his teacher gives him that chance.

Director:

Mimi Leder

Writers:

Catherine Ryan Hyde (book), Leslie Dixon (screenplay)
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Connect with IMDb


1 win & 3 nominations See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Spacey ...
Helen Hunt ...
Haley Joel Osment ...
Jay Mohr ...
Jim Caviezel ...
Jon Bon Jovi ...
Ricky McKinney
Angie Dickinson ...
Grace
David Ramsey ...
Gary Werntz ...
Colleen Flynn Colleen Flynn ...
Woman on Bridge
Marc Donato ...
Adam
Kathleen Wilhoite ...
Bonnie
Liza Snyder ...
Michelle
Jeannetta Arnette ...
Nurse
Hannah Werntz Hannah Werntz ...
Thorsen's Daughter
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Storyline

Young Trevor McKinney, troubled by his mother's alcoholism and fears of his abusive but absent father, is caught up by an intriguing assignment from his new social studies teacher, Mr. Simonet. The assignment: think of something to change the world and put it into action. Trevor conjures the notion of paying a favor not back, but forward--repaying good deeds not with payback, but with new good deeds done to three new people. Trevor's efforts to make good on his idea bring a revolution not only in the lives of himself, his mother and his physically and emotionally scarred teacher, but in those of an ever-widening circle of people completely unknown to him. Written by Jim Beaver <jumblejim@prodigy.net>  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Teacher | Boy | Good Deed | Alcoholism | Mother Son Relationship  | See more »

Taglines:

Have You Heard? See more »

Genres:

Drama | Romance

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements including substance abuse/recovery, some sexual situations, language and brief violence See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Das Glücksprinzip See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$9,631,359 (USA) (22 October 2000) (2130 Screens)

Gross:

$33,508,922 (USA) (4 February 2001)
See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

DTS  | Dolby Digital  | SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The license plate 2GAT123 which appears in this film also features in Traffic, Beverly Hills Cop II, Mulholland Dr., Crazy/Beautiful, L.A. Story, Two and a Half Men, S.W.A.T., and Go. See more »

Goofs

Crew or equipment visible: Just before Eugene reveals his childhood story to Arlene, Eugene steps out of his car. The camera man and the light from his camera is reflected in the window and door of the car. See more »

Quotes

Jerry: You ever been on the street?
Arley: My mom took us pretty close.
Jerry: Well, you can't know. Not until you look at a dumpster. But when you climb into that thing for the first time and you pull those newspapers over you, that's when you know you've messed your life up. Somebody comes along like your son, and gives me a leg up, I'll take it. Even from a kid, I'll take it.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Lucky Break (2008) See more »

Soundtracks

"Mar y cielo"
By Julio R. Reyes
Performed by Los Hermanos Martinez Gil See more »