Even though Pay It Forward is a sappy story based on a sappy novel and even though the film is directed by Mimi Leder, whose crimes against humanity include Deep Impact and The Peacemaker, this film has a cast that carries the day. Almost.

The setting is Las Vegas. Haley Joel Osment stars here as a thoughtful kid in Grade 7. Helen Hunt plays his hard-edged mother. Kevin Spacey is the social studies teacher who unwittingly changes many lives, including his own.
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It would take a hard heart not to feel moved by the weepy ending of "Pay It Forward." And it would take a hard head not to leave the film thinking you've been shamelessly manipulated for a couple of hours.

"Pay It Forward" has admirable performances by past Oscar winners Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt and nominee Haley Joel Osment. All three could be in the running again come nomination time next February.
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