``PAY IT FORWARD'' A SAPPY MOVIE - PASS IT ON.

Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic

``Pay It Forward'' advances the altruistic idea that if everyone would do something nice to help three people and if those three people would each do something nice for three other people, well, then, the world would be a swell place to live.

If this feel-good premise had been done by someone other than the ham- fisted Mimi Leder, ``Pay It Forward'' could have been worthwhile and maybe even (sniff) heartwarming, particularly with a cast headed by Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osment (the spooky kid from ``The Sixth Sense''). But Leder bathes the movie in banality and telegraphs every plot development, including a shameless ending that ranks as one of the most brazenly manipulative moments in film history.

Before the deplorable finale (which also steals from ``Field of Dreams,'' a movie that knew a thing or two about earning honest sentiment), ``Pay It Forward'' plays as an innocuous bit of Hollywood humanitarianism, largely bereft of truth and trust.

Osment plays Trevor, a spunky 12-year-old who lives with his alcoholic mom, Arlene (Hunt), on the outskirts of Las Vegas. On the first day of school, Trevor's social studies teacher, Eugene Simonet (Spacey), gives him an assignment: Think of an idea to change the world and put it into action. After seeing a homeless encampment on his bicycle ride home, Trevor hits on his ``pay it forward'' scheme.

One of the people Trevor decides to help is Mr. Simonet, a man whose scars go deeper than the burn marks on his face. Trevor wants to pair his teacher and his mother, although it would seem that each would have enough problems of their own without wanting to combine afflictions. No matter. A tentative courtship begins, and Trevor trains his magnanimous gaze to others in need.

Meanwhile, a cynical reporter (in movies, is there any other kind?) played by Jay Mohr begins to investigate a wave of philanthropy after he himself is the recipient of a remarkable gift. Mohr's search for the source of all this selflessness is clumsily intercut with the main story in a manner that is confusing, annoying and often pointless. Subtlety is sacrificed at every turn in favor of selmportance.

The talented trio of Spacey, Hunt and Osment redeem the film to a point. Osment is the best of the bunch, demonstrating remarkable range and emotional depth and proving that his turn in ``The Sixth Sense'' was no fluke. Hunt, with yellow hair and an Erin Brockovich makeover, does a tougher variation of her typical screen persona. Spacey, meanwhile, displays a rare vulnerability.

In the end, Leder (with an assist from screenwriter Leslie Dixon) bulldozes any and all attempts at nuance in favor of unadulterated bathos, proving once again that good intentions do not equal good filmmaking.

Pay it forward.

``PAY IT FORWARD''

(Rated PG-13: mature thematic elements including substance abuse/recovery, some sexual situations, language and brief violence)

The stars: Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt, Haley Joel Osment.

Behind the scenes: Directed by Mimi Leder. Screenplay by Leslie Dixon. Released by Warner Bros.

Running time: Two hours, two minutes.

Playing: Citywide.

Our rating: Two stars

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Helen Hunt, Haley Joel Osment, center, and Kevin Spacey star in ``Pay It Forward.''