As I believe I've mentioned, one of the benefits of my job is the occasional movie pass. This week, I scored advance tickets to 'Pay It Forward'.

You know, I don't think there is anyone who really knew what this movie was about before they went to see it. Every commercial was like, "Biggest Oscar buzz of the year! Oscar-winner Kevin Spacey! Oscar-winner Helen Hunt! Oscar-nominated Haley Joel Osment!" without actually mentioning anything to do with the plot.

"i see oscar winners..."

I was a little leery about seeing a movie that wasn't being advertised on the merits of it's own story, but a free movie is a free movie. Besides, I think that kid is pretty darn cool, and Helen Hunt dresses like 'Erin Brockovich'.

Kevin Spacey is a brilliant actor. He's great. He plays Eugene Simonet, a seventh-grade social studies teacher covered head to foot in burn scars. He has no friends, no life, just a daily routine that keeps him going. He's bitter and lonely and hopeful and lost and strong.

Young Haley plays Trevor McKinney, one of Eugene's students, who gets inspired by Eugene to change the world. His idea? Do a huge favor for three people. Then, instead of paying it back, they 'pay it forward' by doing big favors for three other people. Simple.

As Trevor's mom Arlene, Helen Hunt looks nasty under the thick Vegas-showgirl makeup she is stuck with, and is pretty much the weak part of the cast. She's a good actor, but it's like her eyes just never follow along with the story. They don't seem to reflect what her character is feeling. Well, that's how I see it anyway.

What else can I say? There's a bunch of 'obviously's' attached to this story. Obviously Eugene and Arlene have to get together in an awkward, painful fashion. Obviously Trevor's 'pay it forward' idea will fly and have it's own bizarre consequences. This is Hollywood after all.

Let's put that aside though. The movie has two themes, in my view. One, of course, is that you can change people's lives by putting yourself out for them. The other is about the trap of alcohol abuse: it always comes around and hurts the ones you love.

The alcohol theme is heavy. You see Arlene tearing apart her cupboards looking for anything ANYTHING with a bit of alcohol. You hear the screaming fights between her and Trevor. It's there and in your face the whole movie.

The theme of changing someone's life is the counterpoint. Seen from the perspective of a reporter tracing the bizarre path of favors from the west coast, the movie is interspersed with small stories about the people touched by the movement and how it changed them. The balm to the open wound of alcohol abuse.

(This next bit I really want to talk about, but will literally spoil the movie for you if you read it. So if you have no intentions on seeing the movie or have already seen it, highlight the text on the page to continue. Otherwise, skip on down the page to the end bits. You have been warned!)

I'm torn about the ending of the movie.

On one hand, I don't think Trevor should have died. What purpose does it serve to have him stabbed by a classmate other than to yank some tears from the audience and try to pump the Oscar-rating up? Make the movie a big tragedy and the chance for a statuette skyrockets.

Plus after spending the movie talking about how important it is to help people, why reward the kid with death? What a nasty message!

On the other hand. Every movement needs a martyr. The link to Christianity was pretty obvious. The visionary spreads the word, it starts to catch, and then he dies, thus starting a wildfire of belief that captivates people's minds.

He had to die so that the movement would succeed. The word would never have gone out. Eventually, 'Pay it Forward' would have lost it's steam and died. Now he's famous, people will do it for him, where they would otherwise have ignored it.

Sigh.

And yes, I cried like a baby.

Shut up.

Saw a couple more flicks on the weekend:

Lost Souls -> All gloss, no substance. It didn't feel like there wasn't any plot, so much as it felt there wasn't enough, and they had to fill the gaps with neat images. But they were wickedly cool images. That exorcism scene alone will stand out for a while.

Winona is a pretty girl, but isn't there something inherently weak about every role she plays? Like she's always some kind of fragile doll. In his review, Roger Ebert said, "What surprises me, in one Satanic movie after another, is how vulnerable Satan seems to be. He's terrific at grabbing control of victims and making them speak in foul tones. He puts a lot of wear and tear on the priests, but in the end he's always defeated by lowly humans. A being who warred with God now faces Winona Ryder. What a comedown." And I totally agree.

The Contender -> The moral of this movie? Politicians are evil. The only redeeming character was Senator Laine Hanson (Joan Allen), who nearly got annihilated by her political opponents.

Gary Oldman is a god. That man can play any role. Good, evil, weak, vicious, cheerful... He's perfect. In The Contender, he's like a little satanic Woody Allen. What a guy.

Hey everyone! Sasha got married last week! Congrats!

I always cry at sad movies and weddings.

Were the Worms any good?

Talk about sex, hey?

Take me home, big fella