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Pay It Forward has strong performances from Spacey, Hunt, and Osment, but the movie itself is too emotionally manipulative and the ending is bad.
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All Critics (129) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (51) | Rotten (78)
if this is what Hollywood considers serious, important filmmaking, maybe the movie industry should stick to the low road. Directed with the in-your-face subtlety of a sitcom, the tone of the movie is weirdly miscalculated from the get-go. Mar 31, 2008 | Full Review…
if this is what Hollywood considers serious, important filmmaking, maybe the movie industry should stick to the low road. Directed with the in-your-face subtlety of a sitcom, the tone of the movie is weirdly miscalculated from the get-go.
David Ansen
Spacey and Hunt create interestingly layered characters who are hiding parts of themselves from themselves. And come Oscar time, Osment once again may be saying, 'I see tuxedoed people.' Nov 6, 2002 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
Spacey and Hunt create interestingly layered characters who are hiding parts of themselves from themselves. And come Oscar time, Osment once again may be saying, 'I see tuxedoed people.'
Jeff Strickler
Less a worthy achievement than a nice try. Mar 22, 2002 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
Less a worthy achievement than a nice try.
Rick Groen
With its smorgasbord of moralizings, Pay It Forward is a confusing welter of sentiment. Jun 25, 2001
With its smorgasbord of moralizings, Pay It Forward is a confusing welter of sentiment.
Peter Rainer
Not since Gump has there been such a pandering, faux-virtuous package of populist pap for Hollywood to shove in the faces of electioneering politicos and say: Look, we don't just market unwholesome swill to families, we market wholesome swill, too. Jun 4, 2001 | Rating: 0.5/5
Not since Gump has there been such a pandering, faux-virtuous package of populist pap for Hollywood to shove in the faces of electioneering politicos and say: Look, we don't just market unwholesome swill to families, we market wholesome swill, too.
Peter Travers
All three leads are first-rate. Apr 16, 2001 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
All three leads are first-rate.
Michael Thomson
A bit syrupy, but sentimental teens may enjoy it. Dec 27, 2010 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
A bit syrupy, but sentimental teens may enjoy it.
Nell Minow
Ironic, isn't it, that a film about human decency takes place in Vegas? Jun 23, 2008 | Rating: 3.5/5
Ironic, isn't it, that a film about human decency takes place in Vegas?
Blake French
The film seems manufactured to furrow a cynic's brow before bringing up their lunch. Oct 18, 2007 | Rating: C | Full Review…
The film seems manufactured to furrow a cynic's brow before bringing up their lunch.
Christopher Smith
There is a clear-cut difference between 'Oscar bait' and 'Oscar worthy,' which Mimi Leder's sentimental crock of a drama illustrates all too well. Oct 14, 2007 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
There is a clear-cut difference between 'Oscar bait' and 'Oscar worthy,' which Mimi Leder's sentimental crock of a drama illustrates all too well.
Michael Dequina
Despite a ton of good intentions, the picture is numbingly obvious and crushingly sentimental. Dec 6, 2005 | Rating: C- | Full Review…
Despite a ton of good intentions, the picture is numbingly obvious and crushingly sentimental.
Frank Swietek
It is a movie that will not only find but charm -- or should we say con? -- a certain kind of audience. Jan 29, 2005 | Rating: C
It is a movie that will not only find but charm -- or should we say con? -- a certain kind of audience.
Philip Martin
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