Inspiration takes the form of a motion picture in director Mimi Leder’s “Pay It Forward.” And this motivation, although rare, proves to be abundant.
Inspirational films aren’t exactly a dime a dozen. Some are depressing and sad, some are uplifting, some are compelling; and each somehow finds its moment to inspire.
It’s in that moment that the far-reaching inspiration of the film becomes obvious. These inspirational ideas and hopes and dreams don’t disappear once “Pay It Forward” is over; they stay embedded in people for as long as they can.
Leder’s movie strikes some fast blows to the human spirit and never stops trying to inspire.
Starring two-time Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey (“Seven,” “American Beauty”), Academy Award-winning actress Helen Hunt (“As Good As It Gets”) and Academy Award-nominee Haley Joel Osment (“The Sixth Sense”), this film was bound from the start to be at least good.
As for the story, which is based on the 2000 novel of the same name by Catherine Ryan Hyde, it couldn’t be any better. The screenplay was beautifully written by Leslie Dixon. And Leder, who also directed “Deep Impact” and “The Peacemaker,” proves she’s an expert at filmmaking.
The story follows junior high school student Trevor McKinney (Osment), his social studies teacher, Eugene Simonet (Spacey), and his mother, Arlene (Hunt), as they zig-zag through life.
After receiving an assignment calling on each student to make an effort to change the world, Trevor gives birth to the idea of “paying it forward.” He decides to build a metaphorical pyramid, helping three people and depending on them to “pay it forward” by helping another three. And so the pyramid moves on.
His idea, although it seems to fail on most levels, in fact succeeds. A reporter, played by Jay Mohr (“Go,” “Jerry Maguire”), catches wind of the movement after a man witnessing the destruction of Mohr’s car offers his new Jaguar in its place.
Inspirational characters, an interesting, varied story and wonderful performances in every role give this movie an edge. It keeps the audience interested and never lets up.
As the emotionally and physically scarred Mr. Simonet, Spacey gives a great performance, showing his character as a timid, routine-following, somewhat uptight school teacher as well as a traumatized man.
Hunt does the same, simultaneously playing a single mother, an alcoholic and a desperate woman looking for love. She performs as expected and, as usual, is wonderful.
As for Osment, he proves that his outstanding performance in “The Sixth Sense” was not merely a one-time deal. He has done it again and will go on to do much more.
Going back to the lack of stirring, rousing films, it’s good to know that this movie stands alone in its level of inspiration, honesty and heart.
And hopefully the those who watch the movie will leave with something new, something whole. They will gain a sense of kindness and well-being. Maybe that’s too much to ask, but no one will know until they see it for themselves.
