A young boy attempts to make the world a better place after his teacher gives him that chance.
Director:
Mimi Leder
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Relive the funniest moments that happened before the opening credits of "The Office."
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Title: Pay It Forward (2000)
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1 win & 4 nominations.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Kevin Spacey | ... | Eugene Simonet | |
| Helen Hunt | ... | Arlene McKinney | |
| Haley Joel Osment | ... | Trevor McKinney | |
| Jay Mohr | ... | Chris Chandler | |
| Jim Caviezel | ... | Jerry (as James Caviezel) | |
| Jon Bon Jovi | ... | Ricky McKinney | |
| Angie Dickinson | ... | Grace | |
| David Ramsey | ... | Sidney Parker | |
 |
Gary Werntz | ... | Mr. Thorsen |
| Colleen Flynn | ... | Woman on Bridge | |
| Marc Donato | ... | Adam | |
| Kathleen Wilhoite | ... | Bonnie | |
| Liza Snyder | ... | Michelle | |
| Jeannetta Arnette | ... | Nurse | |
| Hannah Leder | ... | Thorsen's Daughter (as Hannah Werntz) | |
Learn more
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Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
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>
Taglines:
When someone does you a big favor, don't pay it back... Pay It Forward See more »Genres:
DramaMotion 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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Eugene: No, it isn't.
[Eugene touches Trevor's shoulder]
Eugene: Hey, you did good work. Look at me, I'm proud of you, Trevor. I'm proud of you.
[Eugene removes his hand from Trevor's shoulder]
Eugene: And anyway for what it's worth, I'm grading you on the effort not the result.
Trevor McKenney: I don't care about the grade.
[Gets up]
Trevor McKenney: I just want to see if the world would really change.
See more »
By Noah Bernardo Jr. (as Noah Bernardo), Marcos Curiel, Mark Daniels and Sonny Sandoval (as Paul Sandoval)
Performed by P.O.D.
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Trevor is supposed to be in middle school. However, the school scenes were filmed at a high school in the northwestern part of Las Vegas. See more »Goofs
When Trevor is drawing his "Pay it forward" diagram on the black board, the diagram has clearly already been drawn once and erased. See more »Quotes
Trevor McKenney: Is the world just shit?Eugene: No, it isn't.
[Eugene touches Trevor's shoulder]
Eugene: Hey, you did good work. Look at me, I'm proud of you, Trevor. I'm proud of you.
[Eugene removes his hand from Trevor's shoulder]
Eugene: And anyway for what it's worth, I'm grading you on the effort not the result.
Trevor McKenney: I don't care about the grade.
[Gets up]
Trevor McKenney: I just want to see if the world would really change.
See more »
Soundtracks
Rock the Party (Off the Hook)By Noah Bernardo Jr. (as Noah Bernardo), Marcos Curiel, Mark Daniels and Sonny Sandoval (as Paul Sandoval)
Performed by P.O.D.
See more »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
20 October 2000 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Pay It Forward See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$40,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$9,631,359, 22 October 2000Gross USA:
$33,519,628Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$55,707,411Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1Contribute to This Page
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Pay It Forward is based on a plot that makes you think almost about everything -both while watching and after. There are elements that make you smile and cry, and the cast is very good at delivering the superb scenario. Helen Hunt and Kevin Spacey surely do not disappoint and Haley Joel Osment performs perfect, giving everything one could expect from such a young actor. Jon Bon Jovi is the surprise among the cast and adds a nice flavor to an already delicious dish. From the beginning until the very end, the movie manages to touch somewhere deep in your heart, and although I did not the book it was based on, the plot makes a lot of sense in its entirety and shines with its originality. It does not come with numerous awards or an exceptionally high IMDb rating, but it really is a very good movie.