Finding Forrester (2000)

4 out of 4

Starring: Rob Brown, Sean Connery, F. Murray Abraham, Anna Paquin, Michael Pitt

Director: Gus Van Sant

Time: 136 mins

There'll doubtless be a lot of people who will say that Finding Forrester is a copy of 1997's Good Will Hunting. Not only are both films directed by Gus Van Sant, but the story of a gifted kid whose talents are nurtured by a mentor who failed to live up to his own potential is a common element. The similarities don't matter, though; Finding Forrester is rich, warm, inspiring, and one of the best films in a long time. It's a pity it wasn't nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, though its kinship with Good Will Hunting probably had something to do with it. The acting is excellent, the script sprinkled with humour, and the whole film, even at two-and-a-quarter hours, a wonderful entertainment.

Jamal Wallace (Rob Brown) is a teenager living with his mother in the Bronx and hanging out with his friends playing basketball. Though outwardly like any other kid his age, he has a secret talent for writing. During a bungled "dare" when he enters an old recluse's apartment, he leaves his backpack full of his writings behind. The next day the backpack is returned, but his work has critical comments written all over it. Hesitantly, he approaches the recluse for some tuition and guidance. He later finds out his mentor is William Forrester (Sean Connery), a writer famous for writing one, and only one, novel a long time ago. Meanwhile, excellent test results win him a scholarship to a prestigious private school on Manhattan, where he catches the eye of fellow student Claire Spence (Anna Paquin). A failed-writer-turned-teacher at the school, Robert Crawford (F. Murray Abraham), is astounded by the quality of Jamal's work and suspects foul play. Jamal, in turn, is stunned by Crawford's implicit accusation, and appeals to Forrester for support, which isn't forthcoming. Tired of being hounded, Jamal contemplates throwing it all away.

Finding Forrester starts off slowly, showing the daily life in and around the apartment blocks where Jamal and his friends frequent. Once Jamal makes the acquaintance of Forrester, and transfers to the private school, the film settles into a pleasant, entertaining pace. The missing pieces in Forrester's history are slowly revealed, helped by gentle humour and a warmly developed relationship between Jamal and the reclusive author. There was a potential storyline about Jamal and a jealous basketball colleague at the private school, but thankfully this isn't explored much further. This aspect would only have detracted from the main story thread. A possible romance between Jamal and Claire also only scratches the surface, but it's nice to see a film these days attempting to depict a normal interracial relationship without the fuss normally showered on such plot elements. The script, on the whole, may not be as edgily brilliant as Good Will Hunting's, but there are still plenty of great lines. Overall, the film's message inspires and imparts hope, without being overly preachy.

A great deal of the film's success is due to newcomer Rob Brown. Though initially a little unsure, once he asserts himself his acting becomes effortless and natural. His rapport with Connery is a highlight. Connery himself, in the "Robin Williams role", is very good. Though quite often a bit too crotchety in his films, Connery here finds the right balance of testiness and affability to endear him to both Jamal and the audience. Though Williams in Good Will Hunting had more of a supporting role, Connery is the title character here, and his own journey of discovery is almost as important as Jamal's. His famous Scottish accent doesn't need to be disguised either, for Forrester comes from Scotland. Fellow Oscar-winners Paquin and Abraham don't have much to do, though Abraham is good enough to remind everyone of the feared or hated teacher everyone encounters at some point during their school life. Finally, there is also a cameo appearance by another Oscar-winner near the end of the film, which seems to neatly tie Finding Forrester to Good Will Hunting.

Following an ill-advised foray into re-filming the Hitchcock classic Psycho, director Van Sant wisely returns to the sort of low-key film where he cut his directing chops and achieved a degree of success. Finding Forrester may have a lot of similarities with the excellent Good Will Hunting, but it's just as rich, just as well-acted, and, even better, just as entertaining. Finding Forrester is an inspiring film that is easily one of the best released so far this year. Though it's still too early to tell, it may very well end up being numero uno. Highly recommended.

(c) Joe Wong (19 March 2001)