Pay It Forward Thomas Newman

Pay It Forward is the last of a triad of films that unites Thomas Newman’s percussion-hinged scores with real-life stories—Erin Brockavich and American Beauty. The similarities between the three are so unanimous there’s virtually no comparison—all rely on percussion, piano, strings, odd instrumentation, but of all of these American Beauty is the strongest. Pay it Forward is almost its equal, and indeed both scores sound almost alike—inseparable—so that you may become confused if you don’t look at the title.The plot of the story behind the music (Pay it Forward) comes to us from a brilliant idea that became the focus of a novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde which became a family movie starring Kevin Spacey (Lester in American Beauty) and Helen Hunt, and Haley Joel Osmond (of Second Hand Lions and The Sixth Sense). The book was decent and fairly well-written for my taste … but the idea is absolutely fantastic—and the power motion behind the global “pay it forward” humanitarian movement.Picture this: A quiet, average teen comes up with the idea of helping his neighbor, a homeless man, by offering him food and etc. who is told to “pay it forward” to two other persons, doing an act of generosity for them. They then pay two more each, equaling four, who then pay forward kindness to six more … in a pyramidal scheme that grows ever wider toward a base that—get this—never ends! Dozens of people become hundreds become thousands and eventually millions, all of them paying it forward in an international movement for peace.All while this is going on across the country, as lives are being changed, the boy’s mother (Helen Hunt) grapples with men issues, including the dead beat boy’s father, and her sudden romantic spark with the sophisticated and erudite social studies teacher (Spacey) who challenged his students to “change the world with one deed.” But when a tragedy strikes that could ruin everything, and lives hang in the balance, the question becomes this: Trevor impacted all those others lives, but can he hold together his own universe—in Vegas, Arizona—even as around the world people are changing. And what about that pesky reporter, determined to find out what exactly is going on with everyone acting so strangely all of a sudden? He treks across the U.S. in search of the one person who holds the answers—Trevor (Osmond).Given this extraordinary backdrop, Pay It Forward’s music should stand out among all other family films (and franchises). The final product is unconventional. It’s strange and different but in a mostly good way. The piano tracks like 1, 8, 13, 18, 22, 24, and 26 are very original compositions and very peaceful to the ear. They carry a soft thematic structure for the family/love atmosphere of the film. The percussion in tracks 1, 4, 9, 14, 20, 21, and 25 sounds like pots and pans being rattled and shaken, and has a very urban, city feel. As a matter of fact, some of the percussion actually appears lifted from The Exorcist’s Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield or Thomas Newman’s other work I previously mentioned. Some tracks have a droning, instrumental “rubbing” sound, notably track 2. I would compare this shifting, jangling clatter to Edward Shearmur’s score for K-PAX— for the New Mexico scenes, yet another Kevin Spacey film. Percussion thumps and series of beats mimic Shearmur’s zany “Zen extraterrestrial” feel for that film, even though the genres are polar opposites.Another facet of this okay album is a wonderful theme song “Calling all Angels” by Jane Siberry. The soft, slow, touching song is worth the price of admission and will have you singing along. Haley’s character is the “angel” in the story, and the other “angels” are … us, people at our best.Sparking an international campaign to “do good” to others, not expecting anything in return except that people pass it on. But for the purposes of story, this makes for great fiction. It’s a classic. Much in the same vein as the Green Movement, something I wrote about in college for my senior thesis. People are the principle concern though, not nature. I encourage you to become a part and be active in trying to do good, in your home, neighborhood, and community, something the world needs a lot more of, people and kids with a “Trevor heart.”I Corinthians 10:24 should edify you to begin. God bless.

Thomas Newman proves once again that he can capture the spirit and poise of a film and release it in a creative and powerful score. While listening to this soundtrack you can easily imagine the scenes from the film, and skip over the more depressing scences if you like. =) Newman's is very well known for his work on the film American Beauty (which is also a wonderful CD). The music from Pay It Forward is from the same breed (as American Beauty) but holds its own distinct melodies. In my opinion the score on this CD is a tad more emotional, and at the same time more up-beat. The final song on the soundtrack is Jane Siberry's song "Calling All Angels". For those of you that have seen the movie it is the song that is played during the film's final sequence. It is a perfect song for the film and a wonderful addition to this soundtrack. Overall I highly enjoy this CD. 5 Stars! It is great to listen to while driving your car or just lounging around the house. Enjoy this CD!

I purchased this for one song "Calling all Angles". I haven't listened to the complete cd yet.

If you are a fan of Thomas Newman's movie scores this one will probably find it's way into your library. I bought it for the first track, and probably won't listen to the whole thing that often. Sad, sad movie don't really want the reminders that often.

Like another reviewer said, It's Ok, but it doesn't quite pay off! Most of the music is great, but it is over before you know it. It's a nice collectors item if you collect movie soundtracks but for the price, NO Thanks. An appropriate price might be $5.98

This CD looks and plays just like new. It sounds wonderful and the CD case is still in very good shape. I'm very happy with it.

I love this CD I was looking for this for a long time now

bought it for 1 song, which was at the end of the cd. very painful getting to it!!!! waste of money

Some really beautiful songs. Glad I brought the soundtrack. A chilled movie soundtrack and yet expect some loud moments whilst relaxing to the tracks. Overall chilled tunes though. A lot of songs have been used for the Erin Brochovich (sorry not sure of spelling) film. Thumbs up good!!

I saw this film many years ago and have tried to locate it since. Having joined Amazon Prime I was pleased to trace it.This film helped to encourage me to start a charity for MS. It is a good motivator BUT tissues needed for the ending.I am very glad to own it now.