| About 20 years ago, Catherine Ryan Hyde was | | | | will change the world and put it into action.Trevor's |
| driving alone at night in a rough area of downtown | | | | idea is deceptively simple - do a good deed for |
| Los Angeles in her old tattered car. It was the | | | | three people and in return, ask each of them to |
| best she could afford, she drove it all the time | | | | 'pay it forward' to three more. "So nine people |
| and relied on the car for every cent of cash she | | | | get helped. Then those people have to do |
| earned.When she braked at an off-ramp, the | | | | twenty-seven ... then it sort of spreads out." His |
| engine suddenly died. All the lights went out and | | | | attempts to put the concept into action at first |
| the car started to fill with smoke. She jumped out | | | | don't seem to work out : a drug-addict he |
| to see two men running towards her, one of | | | | befriends cannot mend his ways, but later talks a |
| them holding a blanket - pushing past her, he | | | | woman out of jumping off a bridge. A reporter |
| yanked open the bonnet: the engine was on | | | | gets wind of his idea and becomes a benefactor |
| fire.The car could have exploded at any moment, | | | | as he retraces Trevor's efforts after his car is |
| but this total stranger smothered the blaze and | | | | destroyed in an accident and he is given a very |
| saved her car, her livelihood and possibly her life. | | | | expensive Jaguar by a rich stranger.Meanwhile, |
| When the emergency was over she looked up to | | | | Trevor is worried about his alcoholic mother |
| thank him - but he was gone.Over the following | | | | Arlene (Helen Hunt), not only because his brutal |
| months she decided that if she couldn't do | | | | father (Jon Bon Jovi) might return at any time; he |
| anything to repay the man, she would look for | | | | also tries to bring his mother and his new teacher |
| others who needed help as much as she did the | | | | together - they are both emotionally scarred by |
| night her engine burned.When Catherine did find | | | | the past, but eventually their relationship heals |
| these opportunities they weren't very dramatic at | | | | some very deep wounds.In the end though, |
| first, but meant a lot to strangers in trouble who | | | | Trevor pays a high price for helping a classmate |
| often asked how they could repay her."Don't pay | | | | fight off some school-bullies.Just another |
| it back to me," she said. | | | | sentimental Hollywood production?Not at all : this is |
| "Pay it forward to someone else."This incident | | | | one of the few films that has a tangible impact on |
| was a turning point in her life. She wanted to hold | | | | societies worldwide and highlights an important |
| on to the idea of sending people into the world | | | | message : that one person can make a |
| owing a favour to a stranger and when she | | | | difference, even in this materialistic and often |
| wrote her second novel 'Pay It Forward' in 2000 | | | | cynical world. It inspires to help without |
| she often had fantasies of people emulating the | | | | expectation of reward or remuneration - and it |
| book:"There are infinite possiblities for the ways in | | | | works, not only in the movie!After you've seen |
| which this could be done. How many times do we | | | | the film, you stop and think about the meaning of |
| step around a homeless person on the street? Oh | | | | life - and some people take action : The 'Pay It |
| dear, we think, that person certainly has a | | | | Forward' Movement is the real-life reaction to |
| problem. But we let it remain their problem. We | | | | Catherine Ryan Hyde's novel and their website |
| would not normally think to stop and make it our | | | | shows many inspiring stories and media reports |
| own." | | | | from all over the world, not only the USA, |
| "It's a new way of thinking; to begin to see | | | | Canada and the UK.The material is also used in |
| beyond our own problems into other people's lives | | | | many schools and colleges and with all this in mind |
| and figure out if there is some way we can help | | | | I have now launched a WeBlog for 'Pay It |
| them." She didn't write the novel expecting a to | | | | Forward South Africa - Changing South Africa |
| create a social movement, but that's exactly | | | | One Favour at a Time'.In this country, we have a |
| what happened : the 'Pay It Forward Foundation' | | | | history of violence and a high crime rate, but for |
| was established in September 2000, followed by | | | | every offense there are 99 acts of kindness - it |
| the Warner Brothers movie the same year and | | | | is my hope that all this benevolence will now be |
| the 'Pay It Forward Movement - Changing the | | | | as liberally reported on this website as brutality is |
| World One Favour at a Time' has a very active | | | | in the traditional media.And why wait to pay it |
| representation in eight countries since 2002.I have | | | | forward until someone helps you out of a |
| seen the movie three times now and at first I | | | | predicament? If you think back, I am sure you'll |
| felt let down by the ending. Now I understand it, | | | | remember many incidents where other people |
| but I really want you to go and see the film so | | | | made life easier for you.Just look where you can |
| here's the story without giving too much away | | | | assist and start doing favours to others - pay it |
| :Trevor McKinney (Haley Joel Osment) is a 12 | | | | forward! It doesn't have to be anything big or |
| years old boy who gets an assignment from his | | | | dramatic; you'll be surprised how much goodwill is |
| new, disfigured Social Studies teacher Eugene | | | | coming your way although you don't expect to be |
| Simonet (Kevin Spacey) : think of something that | | | | rewarded. |