MovieChat Forums > Pay It Forward (2000) Discussion > CRUCIAL questions about the ending

CRUCIAL questions about the ending

posted 12 years ago by CorleoneFan
5 replies | jump to latest

SPOILER ALERT.........SPOILER ALERT.......STOP READING IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE ENDING

These questions are not clearly answered in this movie (or perhaps not answered at all) but I'm really curious to hear what people think about these two questions..

1. WAS THE STABBING AN ACCIDENT OR ON PURPOSE AND HOW DID THE BULLIES FEEL AFTER KILLING TREVOR??? I mean, it looked like the kid had a WTF look on his face but did he willfully stab Trevor and then the feeling of guilt sunk in right as it happened?? I really wonder what those kids felt that night or what they went through with the law or with their parents. Which leads me to my next question..

2. WHAT LEGAL PUNISHMENTS WOULD THOSE BULLIES RECEIVE AND WHO GETS THE PRIMARY BLAME? The one who pulled the knife out or the one who pushed Trevor into the knife. If there are any lawyers on this message board I would appreciate a brief legal analysis of what would take place if this actually happened. In any event, I would absolutely love to think that two of those bullies got LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE. That would be so sweet.

Thoughts??

[–] gabby_bm 12 years ago

I'm not a lawyer, though i have several in my family.
So add a grain of salt to the following.

Pulling the knife was on purpose. it's possible he pulled it just to threaten. but Trevor was pushed into it and though an accident, he would likely get manslaughter charges while the others got assault. The teacher being a witness would help those charges immensely

That being said, they were juveniles and likely their first offenses. The one with the knife would probably have the charge of voluntary manslaughter (intent to kill or severely injure) reduced to involuntary manslaughter and get a lighter sentence. The possession of the knife and it being drawn would likely still warrant time in a juvenile correction facility. The other two would likely be hit with aggravated assault- possibly reduced down to just assault. They may also face shorter time in a juvenile facility.

A good lawyer would probably get commuted sentences which might even result in no jail time for the other two and just many hours of community service. The kid with the knife would probably still end up in juvie for some time, and ostracized by the community upon his release.

All this varies from state to state and judge to judge and lawyer to lawyer.

Ideally, the two unarmed bullies would get aggravated assault and battery and end up in juvie for up to three years. The one who pulled the knife would be in juvie until his 21st birthday.

Unfortunately, none of their punishments would do what needed to be done and help them become kinder, gentler and contributing citizens of their community. Sadly, their punishments would probably make them even worse and more violent.

My "#3" key is broken so I'm putting one here so i can cut & paste with it.

[–] manofsteel4455 12 years ago

Which is why they should either get life or death!!

You want to play the game, you'd better know the rules, love.
-Harry Callahan

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] dgk87 11 years ago

The kid with the knife probably would have pulled 18 months at the most

[–] psyxme13 11 years ago

I have no legal background, so I am only going to address the first question.

I think that the bully pulled the knife just to threaten. Like happens in so many cases, the threat turned deadly when unforeseen forces joined in. How many times have we heard the plea, "I just wanted to scare him/her."?

In keeping with the theme of the movie, I like to think that the bully got a sentence that included counseling and help to move away from the bully mentality.