By Paul Hyatt
It has been a year and a half now of severe illness, death, economic disparity, and distance from loved ones. Producer Tom DiDonato does not shy away from this harsh fact through his documentary-style film, PIVOT: Paying It Forward. However, his film does not feature the cruel and unforgiving reality that many have been forced to live with. Instead, DiDonato decides to highlight those who have dedicated the resources and energy they have to help those around them, creating a bright medley of inspiring stories to remind us that there is still a lot of good left in these bleak times.
These stories do not follow a strict script other than that they all feature people who have chosen to help others during difficult times. They range from a celebrity chef devoting his expertise and equipment to help those most struggling with the pandemic, to a tireless hiker dominating immense mountains for a charity, to a group of volunteers caring for horses who otherwise would have nowhere to go. These are only a few examples of the many that are shown in the film. DiDonato also does an excellent job touching on all aspects of hardship created by the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing examples that many people would not think of. These stories are as much eye-opening as they are encouraging, something that everyone can benefit from watching.
I particularly like this film because DiDonato lets his subjects drive the narrative of his story. The film is fueled through the interviews of those highlighted, adding in narration to fill gaps and to ensure clarity. This accentuates the film’s hopeful and inspiring message by letting those affected and those with experience explain the importance of their work.
While I enjoyed the broad range of stories shown in this film, it could have benefited from a more cohesive structure. Once a particular story ended, a new title was introduced immediately. The format still works well, yet the sudden transitions felt jarring at times. Regardless, this is an excellent and timely film that any person will get a substantial viewing from. 4/5.
Paul is a senior at Simpson College majoring in multimedia journalism with minors in marketing communication and interactive media. He is the feature editor for his student newspaper, The Simpsonian, and vice president of his fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha. His hobbies and interests include writing, appreciating art in all its forms, gaming, and spending time with friends and family.
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