Review: Finding Forrester

Pound for pound, Sean Connery is one of the greatest on-screen presences of all time. Proof of this would be the 2000 film, Finding Forrester.

Connery stars as the title character of the film, William Forrester, a former Pulitzer Prize winning author, living as a recluse in an apartment in The Bronx, N.Y.

The protagonist of the film is Jamal Wallace, played by Rob Brown (Coach Carter, The Express), a 16-year-old basketball player who has a penchant for writing. After being dared by his friends to sneak into Forrester’s apartment, Jamal accidentally drops his bag after being startled by the reclusive author.

After being taunted by Forrester, by having his bag displayed in the window of his apartment, it is finally dropped, and Jamal inspects his contents inside, which were a bunch of books containing his personal writings, now marked by Forrester.

Jamal is intrigued, and wants Forrester to read more of his writings, but finds that Forrester is less than thrilled, but receives an assignment to write 5,000 words on why Jamal should “Stay the fuck out of his home,” to which Jamal completes and hands back.

Forrester agrees to place Jamal under his tutelage; however, he has to agree to let no one know who he is. Jamal agrees, and a friendship is then forged.

During this time, it’s revealed that Jamal is an exceptionally gifted student, and is offered a chance to go to an exclusive private school. The coach of the basketball team is very excited, but that seems to be the only person that is very appreciative of his presence. His literature teacher, Professor Crawford, played by F. Murray Abraham (All The President’s Men, Amadeus) does nothing but antagonize Jamal and feels that his writings are not his own.

Jamal does happen to make friends with Claire Spence, played by Anna Paquin (X-Men, True Blood), much to the behest of her father, who feels that Jamal, being from a lower-income family would be a burden on her.

Forrester and Jamal develop quite a kinship, with Jamal trying to get Forrester to come out of his comfort zone and get out of the apartment, and Forrester is trying to strengthen Jamal’s writing skills, by trying to get him to learn to write better, specifically, taking one of Forrester’s previous works, and redo it, and make it his own, with the rule being that all of his work stays in the apartment.

Professor Crawford eventually brings Jamal up on charges of Plagiarism, because Jamal took one of his works from the apartment, which was a re-write of Forrester’s works, which happened to be published. Jamal is then forced to either admit either he was influenced by Forrester [something that he agreed not to do], or prove that he had Forrester’s permission to use his material.

The film is a brilliant work of drama. Directed by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Milk), the relationship between Forrester and Jamal is very believable on-screen, as well; the parts are acted so well. Even F. Murray Abraham’s role as Professor Crawford is done well. You watch him, and the more you see him, you start to dislike him even more.

The story is a very emotional one, and when watching it, I felt compassion toward the characters, especially toward Jamal. His inner-struggle is one that I could relate to, and Forrester’s character is one that is very inspired by J.D. Salinger.

I would recommend this movie to anyone and everyone, especially those who wish to be inspired by top-notch drama.

I give Finding Forrester 8 ½ out of 10