I bumped on the film "accidentally" one night on television. I have to say that the minute I saw the idea it deals with (doing something positive for no return) I felt it was one of the best materials for script ever. Nevertheless, I'm afraid the result was full of clichés and predictable emotional moments. In the hands of another alternative director it could be a jewel, like "Manolia" for example. The fear of people to do good and mostly the weakness to deny doing it on your turn after having received it, is an excellent concept. The same goes for the idea of having a child starting this. But, honestly, all the clichés of the beaten wife, the traumatized molested teacher, the alcoholic grandmother, the stabbing of the kid and most of all the mellow ending (kids with candles in the courtyard) gave it a predictability and a lack of proper depth that was only partially saved by the excellent performances and some good moments overall. Finally, I have to say that Helen Hunt is really making the difference here, by giving true substance to her role.
Review of Pay It Forward
