Sacrificial Giving
This is the good-hearted kind of film that should be greatly appreciated! It's about sacrificial giving of some part of yourself for others. A moral that is infrequently at all enlightened in our self-centered society. However, it is greatly displayed in this excellent screenplay! Pay It Forward is inspirational and it has every ability to transform the way you think about others.
Plot Information
Trevor (Haley Joel Osment) is a boy growing up in Las Vegas with his alcoholic mother, Arlene (Helen Hunt). She is a hard working single mom. He is a rather self sufficient adolescent.
Caught between his mother’s multitude of problems, a fear of his deadbeat Father returning to once again abuse his Mother, his ravished surroundings, and the metal-detectors & violence at his junior high school; this boy finds a ray of hope through his plan to save the world.
Trevor devises "Pay It Forward" - a pyramid-like scheme of kindness - when challenged by his Social Studies teacher, Mr. Simonet (Kevin Spacey), to "Think of a plan to change the world – and put it into action." Little did this instructor know what was in store for him!
The rules are:
1) It has to be something that really helps people,
2) It has to be something they can't do for themselves
3) Instead of paying it back, the recipient has to “Pay It Forward” to three other people.
Trevor’s attempts at goal accomplishment are dauntless. He truly starts out with a heroic faith and an incredible fathom of hope. But from his limited panorama he is finding no actual aftereffect. So he thinks anyway. This attitude is very believable and totally understandable. He simply states, “It isn’t working.”
Oh but wait Trevor, It is! We (the movie goers) are allowed to see how it has spread.
Christ-Like
Although Pay It Forward is not a Christian film, I found it to be a great example of Christ-like sacrificial giving.
It offers a “What Would Jesus Do?” type of manifestation in the heart. “Pay It Forward” stretches the giver and it humbles the receiver so that the world changes not only by the acts performed, but also by the transformation of the heart of the giver.
From a true Christianity realm of doing something for another without expecting something back. Truly acts of kindness. None of the participants are hoping to be put in the "spotlight" of recognition for their deeds. Merely, they have experienced a true transformation in their own heart and want to spread the joy to another. Not for self-gratification but because it is the honorable thing to do.
In real time if one endeavored to provide three "Pay It Forwards," I am certain they would continue this fabulous trend. Thus explaining why Trevor's plan only has to encompass a beginning of three and spreading of three. Not setting a premise for only three sacrificial giving situations, but rather keeping the pyramid doable within the movies showing time.
Clearly we are shown the contagious spread of Trevor's heart warming plan!
I vividly seen the premise of Christs love being shown throughout this well presented show.
I really admired the equality that was prevailed through showing the kindness being extended to all types of people. You see Trevor didn’t just pick three well-to-do types. He seen past the outside appearance and “went to work”.
Some might take offense by some of the habits of those on the receiving end of his life changing scheme. However, I felt it was important to the relevance of the changing process. Yes there are some perhaps moral wrong issues as the participants "Pay It Forward." But let's remember the movie is supposed to show the fact that if we all entered into the habit of sacrificial giving, truly the world would be changed! Where one is in their adventure of life today might just have something to do with alcohol or drug abuse. This movie showed that no matter what your life style or rate of income, you are able to give! That is true sacrificial giving.
One of the most heart warming moments for me in this movie was a moment of forgiveness that takes place. I don't want to give away the details, but trust me, you will understand what I mean! Unforgiveness is one of the largest burdens one can carry. I applaud the writers for including this touching moment!
If paying it forward became the "norm" today, it would be life changing! Start thinking what three things you can do, and then do them! Kindness is contagious.
Bring A Kleenex
This viewer recommends bringing a kleenex! I really enjoyed this production! It was heartwarming, encouraging, inspiring, and thought provoking.
It is not at all far-fetched for me to envision a child starting this trend and believing in the power of it. We should listen to the wonderful children around us!
Big Thumbs Up
I really liked this movie. We will probably see it again, and will buy the video! I feel it is unique and the acting was superb.
Children are so special to me and this movie really inspired me in remembering to take a childlike simplistic approach. The kindness we share does matter!
The plot kept my attention throughout.
Rated PG-13
Rated PG-13 for language and sexual situations (no nudity). There is some content that viewers might find objectionable: pre-marital sex (no nudity), a nightclub scene, and minor other happenings.
Everything in social studies teacher Eugene Simonet s (Kevin Spacey) life is in order--every shirt, every pencil, every person in its proper place. To...More at Buy.com
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