Finding Forrester
	Director:	Gus Van Sant
	Actors:	Sean Connery (as William Forrester), Rob Brown (VI) (as Jamal Wallace), F. Murray Abraham (as Professor Robert Crawford), Anna Paquin (as Claire Spence), Busta Rhymes (as Terrell Wallace), April Grace (as Ms. Joyce), Michael Pitt (II) (as John Coleridge), Michael Nouri (as Dr. Spence), Richard Easton (II) (as Professor Matthews), Glenn Fitzgerald (as Massie (Forrester's Delivery Man)), Lil' Zane (as Damon (as Zane R. Copeland Jr.)), Stephanie Berry (as Janice), Fly Williams III (as Fly), Damany Mathis (as Kenzo), Damien Lee (as Clay)
	Country:	USA
	Category:	Drama
	Year:	2000

Description:	An afro-american teen writing prodigy finds a mentor in a reclusive author.
Comments:	"Finding Forrester" is an interesting title, because it could simply mean the outside world re-discovering writer William Forrester (Sean Connery) after almost a half-century of reclusive living under an assumed name. However to me it contains a deeper meaning, of Forrester finding himself, and getting on with a life he had put on hold for so many years. I rate it "9" and should be a moving film experience for anyone who values family and deep personal relationships. To me it is of similar overall quality and impact as "Good Will Hunting", "Cider House Rules", and "Eve's Bayou." CAUTION -- SOME SPOILERS FOLLOW -- Jamal (first-time actor Rob Brown) is a black American, NYC 16-yr-old, basketball-playing, straight "C" high school junior being raised by his single mom. After dad disappeared, Jamal secretly began writing down his thoughts in small diary books. Highly intelligent, he played basketball with his friends and kept his grades average as a way of being accepted in the 'hood. All the boys refer to "the window" over their basketball court, where they see a man periodically peering through binoculars. On a dare, Jamal one night goes into the "haunted house", and is surprised by Forrester, and in his rush to get out leaves his backpack behind. Next day, leaving the basketball court, the backpack drops near him from the top story corner window of Forrester's. Jamal gets home, opens his diaries, and finds RED MARKS, comments by Forrester, some complimentary, most not. Thus the seeds of collaboration are planted. Jamal eventually, through sheer assertiveness, works his way into Forrester's life. He cannot understand how this talented author could quit publishing after one Pulitzer-prize winning novel almost a half-century earlier. Forrester's story is complex, but includes a brother who had returned from war and dies in a car wreck on his way home after saying goodbye to Forrester. At the morgue, the attendant was so insensitive that she commented on his book, rather than recognize his grief. Thus "writing and publishing" became a cruel reminder of the public's infatuation with celebrity, and he didn't want any part of it. Forrester agrees to help Jamal learn to write well, as long as Jamal promises to never reveal their relationship nor Forrester's whereabouts. Jamal has very productive writing sessions, and through his academic achievement test scores, gets offered a scholarship to a prestigeous private school, where he also gets to play basketball. His writing is so good, the Professor (Murray Abraham, also the protagonist to Mozart in "Amadeus") refuses to believe it is Jamal's work, and sets out to expose his fraud. In a gripping classroom scene, the Professor uses the word "farther" in a put-down referring to Jamal and basketball, and Jamal speaks up, "further", going on to explain that the Professor used the wrong word. Then, further embarrassing the Professor by finishing all his poetry quotes and naming the author, gets thrown out of class. In a later meeting, Professor whispers to Jamal, "Don't ever embarrass me in front of my students again", which is a perfect commentary on the Professor's priorities. As the film wraps up, Jamal has a chance to win the championship basketball game with two free throws with no time on the clock, and misses them both. Earlier in practice we see that he is an expert free-thrower. Then, in the climactic scene, Forrester comes into Jamal's classroom, and reads some wonderful writing on "family and friendship", and Professor congratulates him while the students applaud. However, Forrester tells them that he was reading something Jamal wrote just the night before, and thus exposes Professor for the fraud that he is. Near the end, Professor asks Jamal, did you miss those free throws, or did you "miss them"?? Jamal answers, "that isn't a soup question, is it?", referring to a question during their first meeting. That line alone shows the depth and subtleness of the script writing, and is largely responsible for this fine, fine film. Forrester decides to venture out more, tells Jamal he is going back to his homeland for a visit. "Ireland?", asks Jamal. Indignantly, Forrester answers, "Scotland!" Jamal smiles and says, "I'm just messing with you." Just another good piece of writing, and illustrates the "peer" relationship this old writer and this young basketball player had developed. At the end, during Jamal's senior year, a lawyer (Matt Damon) shows up, representing Forrester, Jamal is told he died, had had cancer for 3 years, handed him some keys and a box and said "he wanted you to have these right away." Inside was a completed manuscript, a new novel written by Forrester and on the title page was written, "Foreword by Jamal Wallace." I cannot say enough about how good first-time actor Rob Brown is in this film. Up against Sean Connery, one of the most powerful actors of our time, and a true screen "legend", Brown is simply perfect. There is no flaw in his performance. Unless this is a "one-role" wonder, he is destined to become one of the fine actors for the next 40 or 50 years. The DVD has a few interesting "extras", the best being the "Rob Brown" story which chronicles how he was found, and some candid behind the scenes video which shows how easily he worked with the stars and director in making "Finding Forrester". In real life he is much like the character he plays, an honor student who also plays basketball. Anna Paquin also has a small role, befriending Jamal and helping him navigate the norms at the new school.
Languages:	English
Subtitles:
Length:	136
Video format:
Audio format:
Resolution:
Files sizes:	1358