Pay It Forward is an engaging film about a young boy's idea and it's effect on the people around him. The young boy is played by the talented Haley Joel Osment, who made a powerful impact on audiences with his role in last year's The Sixth Sense. He plays a rather normal kid here, who's biggest problem lies within the discomfort of his own family life, or lack of it. He meets a somewhat tormented man in the form of a new school teacher, played by the always brilliant Kevin Spacey. His year-long class assignment is to think of idea that will help change the world, and to set that idea in motion. Osment's mother, played by Helen Hunt, is a single mother working two jobs while fighting a drinking problem and her own shortcomings. Needless to say this doesn't allow her much quality time with her son. Osment comes up with a revolutionary idea, in the form of a pyramid scheme, to get ordinary people to go out of their way to help others. Spacey seems to see hope in the concept, but Osment finds that things don't always work out the way they should. In an attempt to improve his own life, he tries to make the scheme work by implementing it on those closest to him. The results are not perfect, but are presented in a very real manner. Pay It Forward is not exactly a feel-good film, but rather an example of how certain events can influence those around us. Osment's idea creates a sense of wonder on how things could be. The performances are strong, as one would expect, and the message is solid. The film uses a Pulp Fiction-esque style of showing events that occur before telling us how they were set in motion. The backtracking can be a bit confusing for some, but it does keep the film interesting. There are some emotional moments, and some very funny ones as well. The supporting cast helps keep the pacing strong, and the writing feels fresh and well thought out. Thomas Newman provides an interesting and moving score, which is important with a film like this. My complements to Mimi Leder, who has sculpted an insightful picture that will at the very least make you think.