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Editorial Review:
Finding Forrester could have been a shallow variant of The Karate Kid, congratulating itself for featuring a 16-year-old black kid from the South Bronx who's a brilliant scholar-athlete. Instead, director Gus Van Sant plays it matter-of-fact and totally real, casting a nonactor (Rob Brown) as Jamal, a basketball player and gifted student whose writing talent is nurtured by a famously reclusive author. William Forrester (Sean Connery) became a literary icon four decades earlier with a Pulitzer-winning novel, then disappeared (like J.D. Salinger) into his dark, book-filled apartment, agoraphobic and withdrawn from publishing, but as passionate as ever about writing. On a dare, Jamal sneaks into Forrester's musty sanctuary, and what might have been a condescending cliché--homeboy rescued by wiser white mentor--turns into an inspiring meeting of minds, with mutual respect and intelligence erasing boundaries of culture and generation.

Comparisons to Van Sant's Good Will Hunting are inevitable, but Finding Forrester is more honest and less prone to touchy-feely sentiment, as in the way Jamal and a private-school classmate (Anna Paquin) develop a mutual attraction that remains almost entirely unspoken. The film takes a conventional turn when Jamal must defend his integrity (with Forrester's help) in a writing contest judged by a skeptical teacher (F. Murray Abraham), but this ethical subplot is a credible catalyst for Forrester's most dramatic display of friendship. It's one of many fine moments for Connery and Brown (a screen natural), in a memorable film that transcends issues of race to embrace the joy of learning. --Jeff Shannon

Finding Forrester [Region 2] Reviews:
Solid acting, wholesome message, generally excellent movie
2009-11-04 - As mentioned in my title, people can see a well acted and wholesome movie and be rewarded by the positive messages that are provided within the scenes. Good illustration of people struggling with their handicaps.


FInding Forrester
2009-09-20 - This was a great movie in the theater and glad we added it to our DVD library.

If you like Sean Connery
2009-07-01 - This is a wonderful movie about a young black boy who is great at basketball and want's to write. Sean Connery plays a reclusive writer who ends up being a great mentor to boy. It is by far a great "feel good" movie.

Finding Forrester, uncovering a gem
2009-06-16 - Reflecting on my fondness for the movie, I had hoped to share it with some high school students as a recommended film which inspires courage and overcoming adversity. Thankfully, I viewed the movie again before making the recommendation because the language/sexual reference of the film is strong; not something I would feel comfortable recommending to underage students. But as a parent who feels the language is in context and appropriate for the message, I highly recommend the film (for PG-13 audiences as recommended). Its JD Salinger-like character captures the heart as does the character of Jamal Wallace. The film accurately portrays societal issues of today including issues of race, ageism, schooling and literacy. Sean Connery is (as always) amazing!

Finding Forrester
2009-06-07 - I loved this movie, it was such a nice surprise. The young man I haven't seen in any other films, but I did recognize a young Anna Pacquin. Sean Connery was the best part of the film for me, thoroughly enjoyable.