REEL CRITIC

Think of an idea that can change the world, then put it into action.

This is the assignment Eugene Simonet (Kevin Spacey) gives his

seventh-grade social studies class on the first day of school in the

movie “Pay It Forward.”

One student, Trevor McKinney (Haley Joel Osment) has the idea of doing

a big favor for three different people. Rather than let them pay him

back, he’ll tell them to pay it forward by doing a big favor for three

other people.

So those original three people will pay the favor forward to nine more

people, who will in turn pay it forward to 27 more people and so on.

“Pay It Forward” is based on some wonderful ideas: be connected to

your community and the world, be kind to people even if they are

strangers and help people in trouble. Unfortunately, the story line often

loses the focus on its main concept.

The script is full of flaws. A romantic subplot seems forced and has

every predictable obstacle for the relationship. Another subplot of a

reporter tracking the “Pay It Forward Movement” to its source is an

obvious plot device, instead of a real second story.

The only black character in the film is embarrassingly stereotyped and

cliched. The worst flaw, however, is the overly melodramatic and

manipulative ending.

The story line is almost saved by the phenomenal acting. Helen Hunt is

expressive and vulnerable as Trevor’s mom Arlene, who works two jobs,

struggles against alcoholism, and is trying to rebuild a happy life for

her son and herself.

Spacey plays Simonet with restraint, balancing the character’s

carefully controlled exterior against his underlying pain.

Haley Joel Osment portrays Trevor so engagingly and with such

complexity, he proves his Oscar-nominated performance in “The Sixth

Sense” was due to talent, not luck.

These three great actors make their characters so human and

sympathetic, you really want to like this film. But, ultimately, the

contrived script is just too much to overcome. “Pay It Forward” never

quite lives up to its noble ideas.

“Pay it Forward” is rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements including

substance abuse and recovery, some sexual situations, language and brief

violence.

* TRICIA BEHLE, 31, lives in Newport Beach and works as a software

validator.