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Helen Hunt

Trevor's mom plays a central role in the film as she is her son's mentor, but she lacks the vision to see what she is doing to him by encouraging the return of his biological father played by Jon Bon Jovi (Ricky McKinney). In the beginning we see that she is turning out to be just like her mother - an alcoholic, but fortunately she listens to her son, Trevor, and becomes awakened to the realities of her errors. Even so she has needs as well that must be fulfilled as a woman and this becomes evident to Trevor as he tries to match her up to his teacher (the one who inspired his idea for paying it forward). Of course Trevor also acknowledges his father will not change and sees this role easily fulfilled by his teacher. That such a young boy could plan all of this is amazing and he is indeed gifted and so we must give some credit to his mother as Trevor could not have evolved this way without the support necessary to do so.

On another level I believe there are a lot of great women in the world, but more than often close by is a bad / evil man willing to thwart them into submission to his ideals. Arlene would have become just another number if it were not for her son's pursuance.

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While Trevor is the innovator of Pay it Forward, his mother ends up being the catalyst for the entire movement. If she doesn't pay it forward to her mother, something that was extremely difficult for her to do, then the movement still stops in the school and with trevor, maybe the homeless guy. But Trevors mom pays if forward, then her mom does, then the thug, then ultimately the million dollar ceo/president of a company. His mom sparks the 'movement' of pay if forward while Trevor thinks that it isn't working.

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One thing that came through loud and clear, in my opinion, was how much this woman loved her son. She wasn't perfect, far from it, but you could tell that she did love her son.

At times her own needs got in the way of her being the best mother possible, but in the end, she did what she saw as best for him. It just took some reflection on her part. I think she was very human and had traits that many parents have even if not to the same extreme.