Pay It Forward (2000)
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As the cable infomercials would say “but wait, there’s more”. Jay Mohr (Cherry Falls, Go, Suicide Kings) and Jon Bon Jovi (U-571, Row Your Boat, Homegrown) add good, believable supporting characters that really help ground the story. Did I say “Jon Bon Jovi”? Yep, who would have thought this guy could reinvent his career and shed his ‘80s glam-rock persona and do a credible job as a big time actor in two of the year’s best films (Pay It Forward & U-571).
It's a little bit sickening to be sounding the Oscar trumpet so far in advance, but the performances--purposefully clunky, junky, and funky--are by far this production's strongest suit. As if it weren't enough to receive fine supporting work from Jon Bon Jovi in a wife-beater shirt as Trevor's deranged father and Angie Dickinson as an absentee, alcoholic grandmother, the other adults arrive far above expectations.
Pay It Forward could easily be both a huge blockbuster smash and an Oscar nominee for Best Picture. The actors are cast perfectly and do an incredible job portraying their characters. Helen Hunt becomes Arlene McKinney, the struggling, distressed mother. Osment has astonishing gift for acting. He is adorable in playing the sad, but wishful boy. Spacey is simply superb. Add in Jay Mohr, some other talented actors and a guest appearance by John Bon Jovi, and you get a wonderfully heartening movie that leaves one thinking, "What can I do to 'Pay it Forward?'"
His dad, Ricky (Jon Bon Jovi) is a classic deadbeat, showing up occasionally and staying just long enough to present some promise of reform and then beat up Arlene and terrify Trevor.
Most of the supporting cast must deal with underwritten parts. Angie Dickinson does good work as a bag lady and Jim Caviezel touches the heartstrings as the desperate Jerry, although his doe eyes are played up more than is necessary. In the reporter role, Jay Mohr is serviceable, as is Jon Bon Jovi in a brief appearance as Trevor's wayward father.
There's goodness in everyone, except for a gang of schoolyard bullies and Arlene's abusive husband (Jon Bon Jovi), who shows up to spike the film's melodramatic volume.
Director Mimi Leder shows both brains and respect for her nonpareil cast... Leder’s handling of her extraordinary charges will seduce more than a few to look hard at the issues behind the eventually heavy sentiment that fuels this film. The worthy issues it addresses — alcoholism, child and spouse abuse, homelessness among them — become secondary only because Leder and the players understand that first, they have to establish a certain level of credibility.
Lots of good roles also, Jon Bon Jovi gives another great small performance ...
A former abusive hubby and Trevor's ne'er-do-well dad (Jon Bon Jovi) makes an appearance and adds an edge of menace. He also provides an opportunity for Trevor to show just how much the little man of the house he really is.
The supporting players aren't so lucky; Caviezel's role disappears for most of the film and Mohr and Jon Bon Jovi (who shows up two-thirds of the way through) have to deal with badly underwritten characters.
With such good actors like Jay Mohr, Jim Caviezel, Jon Bon Jovi, and Angie Dickinson, you figured that they too would be good. But Mimi Leder let's the spotlight shine on the three leads, while the rest of the cast are watching in the dark outside of the light.
Arlene also has two jobs, sleeps in her makeup, and misses her abusive, drinking-buddy husband Rick, played well by Jon Bon Jovi (he's paying his dues and delivers the goods!).
Jon Bon Jovi turns up briefly as Arlene's dangerous-drunk husband, who promises he has reformed but reverts to type almost faster than you can remember his hit records.
As the villainous ex, Mr. Bon Jovi is so reptilian, he invites audience derision from his first appearance.
Supporting performances from the likes of Angie Dickinson (Duets, Dressed To Kill), Jon Bon Jovi (U-571, No Looking Back) and James Caviezel (The Thin Red Line, Ride With The Devil) are all solid.
A second look offers the opportunity to appreciate that Jay Mohr, James Caviezel, Jon Bon Jovi and Angie Dickinson round out the cast with notable performances.
They are genuinely believable as a family, even when Jon Bon Jovi enters the picture as the estranged third wheel. Believe it or not, he doesn't ruin the movie nearly as much as his character ruined the lives of Trevor and Arlene. Actually, the rocker does quite well as an abusive alcoholic. Maybe it's the years of experience kicking guitars and amps around.
And let’s not forget some eye candy for the moviegoers of the gentler gender, in the form of a "Papa was a rolling stone", played by Jon Bon Jovi.
Jay Mohr, Angie Dickinson, Jon Bon Jovi (U-571) and few other faces shine through into your retina for entertainment. All do an outstanding job.
Jon Bon Jovi as the abusive husband is well cast (yes, he CAN act)...
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