Finding Forrester (2000)

Sean Connery more than aces his performance, portraying the multi-faceted William Forrester, a man who becomes agoraphobic after a painful loss. He has a passion for writing, acclaimed decades earlier, for his Pulitzer prize winning, but sole novel. He disappears for years after this publication and surrounds himself with books in his lonely and desolate apartment, struggling with his inner demons.

Jamal, a black teen, played by Rob Brown is from the wrong side of the tracks. He has great potential, but fears not being able to dig himself out of his roots. Jamal is acknowledged for being a star basketball player, but what most don’t know, is his passion for writing. Forrester often watches Jamal and his friends playing ball from his window, which overlooks a battered court.

Jamal and his friends identify Forrester as the man in the window, since that’s all they’ve seen of him. Jamal is dared to break into Forrester’s apartment and take something from it. Forrester scares Jamal out of his wits and as he rushes away, his book bag trails behind. Inside this bag holds the treasures of Jamal’s heart, his stories and poetry. This event changes both of their lives forever.

Forrester unknowingly critiques Jamal’s work and drops the book bag down on the street where it can be found by the young boy. An unlikely relationship develops because of their shared love of writing. Forrester offers to be Jamal’s mentor for writing in exchange for Jamal keeping hush about his reclusive life.

Anna Paquin plays the role of Claire Spence, a classmate of Jamal’s at an elite school he’s accepted into after he’s offered a scholarship. Although their romance is not played out, she adds to the script, along with supporting roles played by Busta Rhymes and F. Murray Abraham.

Forrester’s most profound display of friendship is seen as he defends Jamal when a skeptical teacher judges a writing contest and accuses the boy of plagiarism. The boundaries of age and backgrounds don’t deter the two from forming a deep bond and mutual respect. They become the perfect blending to steer each other toward a new light.

“Finding Forrester” is directed by Gus Van Sant and rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some sexual reference. This movie lingers within the emotions of the viewer long after the last scene. A well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars.