Pay It Forward (2000)

Regisseur:

Mimi Leder

Drehbuchautoren (WGA):

Catherine Ryan Hyde (book)
Leslie Dixon (screenplay)

Premierendatum:

20. Oktober 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romanze

Werbezeile:

Like some other kids, 12-year-old Trevor McKinney believed in the goodness of human nature. Like many other kids, he was determined to change the world for the better. Unlike most other kids, he succeeded.

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Child's Point Of View | Disfigurement | Single Parent | Drug Addiction | Martyrdom

Filmpreise:

1 win & 3 nominations

Nutzerkommentare:

Despite the shortcomings - well played and at times inspiring

Besetzung

Kevin Spacey	...	Eugene Simonet
Helen Hunt	...	Arlene McKinney
Haley Joel Osment	...	Trevor McKinney
Jay Mohr	...	Chris Chandler
James Caviezel	...	Jerry
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
Jeanetta Arnette	...	Nurse (as Jeannetta Arnette)
Hannah Werntz	...	Thorsen's Daughter

Alternativ:

Glücksprinzip, Das (Österreich) (Deutschland) [de]

MPAA:

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

Länge:

123 Min

Produktionsland:

USA

Sprache:

Englisch

Farbe:

Farbe (Technicolor)

Seitenverhältnis:

1.85 : 1

Tonverfahren:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Altersfreigabe:

Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | South Korea:12 | Philippines:PG-13 | Iceland:10 | Malaysia:U | Canada:14A (Manitoba) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Denmark:11 | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Germany:12 (w) | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12 | USA:PG-13

Drehorte:

Bradbury Building - 304 S. Broadway, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Firma:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Dies und das:

Haley Joel Osment celebrated his 12th birthday on the set during the last day of shooting. Although Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt had completed their own filming, they turned up on the set just to celebrate his birthday. Coincidentally, Trevor McKinney, the character played by Haley, celebrated his 12th birthday in the movie.

Pannen:

Filmfehler: When Chris Chandler is interviewing Trevor, the DVC Pro video camera his girlfriend is using, shown clearly from behind, obviously has neither a battery nor a AC power converter.

Dialogzitate:

Jerry: [tearfully] Please... SAVE MY LIFE!

Bezüge zu anderen Titeln:

Verweis/Anspielung/Erwähnung in Danuta (2007)

Soundtrack:

Because I Got It Like That

Despite the shortcomings - well played and at times inspiring

I remember leaving the cinema, feeling very much let down by the end of "Pay it Forward". Watching it recently on television I find myself far more forgiving since it's a movie with a sincere and important message, expressed with conviction. The quasi-religious ending probably will appeal to many, but from an artistic viewpoint, it seems unnecessary and not entirely suited to the tone of the film up to that point.

Kevin Spacey is effective as the suppressed, sensitive teacher, while Helen Hunt is terrific, despite the role being far too close for comfort with her "As Good As It Gets" character. But it's Hailey Joel Osment's wonderful portrayal that gives "Pay It Forward" much of its power. He simply is perfect for the part. (Good to see Angie Dickenson, braving it in the role of a homeless alcoholic).

At its best, this is a film which may just do the impossible: inspiring one to good deeds, without expectation of reward or remuneration. That alone is a substantial achievement.