Finding Forrester

Finding Forrester (PG-13)

Grade: B+

• Directed by: Gus Vant Sant
• Produced by: Sean Connery and Laurence Mark
• Screenplay by: Mike Rich
• Starring: Sean Connery (William Forrester), Rob Brown (Jamal Wallace), F. Murray Abraham (Professor Robert Crawford), Anna Paquin (Claire), Busta Rhymes (Terrel), April Grace (Ms. Joyce)
• Cinematographer: Harris Savides
• Distributed by: Columbia Pictures
• Released: December 19, 2000
• Running Time: 136 minutes/2 hours and 16 minutes
• Language: English

 "Not exactly a soup question, now is it?"

-Jamal Wallace

To some, writing may just be words on a page, but to others who take it seriously, it's much more than that.  Writing can be the key to a person's future or their escape, which is the case with Jamal Wallace, the main character in the film "Finding Forrester".  The film may be simple with its presentation, and the plot may be something we've all seen before, but it's still touching for me, as an aspiring writer who has never been able to fit in with my surroundings well.

"Finding Forrester" begins with 16 year old Jamal Wallace being awakened by his mother to go play basketball with the friends he's grown up with his whole life.  He's so good that he breaks his friend's ankles on a daily basis.  But that's not the only thing that happens daily.  Jamal and his friends are constantly watched by a presence called "The Window' from an upstairs apartment.  No one knows who he is, but there are crazy stories going around about him.  Jamal's friends are scared, but he isn't, so he's dared to break into the apartment.  Problem is, that "The Window" finds him, and chases him off, causing Jamal to run and leave his book bag.  When he gets it back, we find out that he's really a writer at heart, not a baller, and "The Window" has more of a reputation than what Jamal's friend's say.  What happens from there helps jump start the film.   

The film's strength starts with the chemistry of the cast.  Sean Connery is a master and pro, but he gets along so well with newcomer Rob Brown, which I found particularly surprising, since I've seen so many young actors struggle with well-known actors, but Brown held up his demeanor well with Connery, and all the other cast members.  The film, with a mentor-student plot, is something familiar, especially when talking about Gus Vant Sant, but for me, it's reassuring since very few films like this can be made now without it being stale. 

Although I have my praise, there are a few minor things I thought took away from the film.  I liked most of the characters, but there were some, such as Claire that I thought served no purpose.  Sure, she's supposed to be the love interest of Jamal, but their time together is never expanded on, which I wanted to see out of her and other characters.  Also, the film felt like it dragged on, which may help for a film like this, but for someone who isn't patient, 136 minutes is a lot to ask for.  Lastly, I thought this film reminded me too much of "Good Will Hunting", which isn't a bad thing, but if you're director Gus Vant Sant, you should try to make two of your films as completely different as possible.  Otherwise, that seems like lazy film-making. 

In the end, "Finding Forrester" has more cons than pros, which may have you on the fence of seeing this film or not.  To me though, you should see this film because it accurately depicts life.  I'm not talking about how it depicts urban life.  I'm talking about how it shows the struggle young people have making decisions in life.  Whether or not they should leave their friends for a better life or whether or not they should follow their dreams?  These are all problems we must deal with eventually, and I think this film gives an honest depiction with it.  Along with that, since I'm an aspiring writer, it's nice to see a film about us that makes us seem human for once.  Everyone sometimes thinks writers are special people, but we're regular people just like everyone else trying to make it in the world.  We just talk and write more.