Pay It Forward (2000)

Directed by Mimi Leder. Starring Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt, Haley Joel Osment, Jay Mohr, Jim Caviezel, David Ramsey, Jon Bon Jovi, Kathleen Wilhoite, Angie Dickinson, Gary Werntz. [PG-13]

Spacey plays a social studies teacher who gives his students the assignment of conceiving a plan that can change the world and putting it into action, so student Osment comes up with the “pay it forward” scheme—help out three strangers in a significant way and ask each of them to do the same, creating a fast-spreading web of “selfless favors.” Despicably sanctimonious drivel pretending to be an inspirational fable, yet is so manipulative and hypocritical that it only leaves a foul taste in the mouth. It’s cutesy and glib about complex social issues, suggesting that obligatory altruism can solve a lot of problems…before undermining the whole premise and surrendering to tear-jerking piffle for the infuriating final ten minutes, proving once and for all that there wasn’t a real message here, just a machine to exploit gullible viewers’ emotions. The cast deserves better, but they’re trapped in tiresome wounded-angel clichés, and fail to rise above the material. Instead of heeding the instructions of the title, sell it back. Or burn it down. Or…you get the gist. Inspired by a same-named novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde.

9/100