Pay It Forward is a 2000 drama film based on the novel of the same name by Catherine Ryan Hyde. The film follows the story of Trevor McKinney, a 12-year-old boy who is inspired by his social studies teacher, Eugene Simonet, to start a project called "Pay It Forward". The idea is simple: Each person helped by the project should pay it forward and help three other people, creating a chain of good deeds that will change the world.
Trevor's project initially starts with helping a homeless man, a drug addict, and his own teacher who has a disfiguring burn scar. However, the ripple effect of his actions extends far beyond what he anticipated. From there, his project touches the lives of many others, including a reporter named Chris Chandler, who takes an interest in Trevor's project and begins to investigate its impact.
As the project gains momentum, Trevor's mother, Arlene, struggles with her own demons. She is an alcoholic and has a troubled past that threatens to derail her son's project and his newfound optimism.
The film features an all-star cast, including Kevin Spacey as Eugene Simonet, Helen Hunt as Arlene McKinney, and Haley Joel Osment as Trevor McKinney. It was directed by Mimi Leder and produced by Steven Reuther.
Pay It Forward received mixed reviews from critics but became a box office success. The film's message of kindness and selflessness resonated with audiences, and the phrase "Pay It Forward" became a popular cultural movement and catchphrase.