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Overview
Movies like this don’t come along very often. Some have called
this movie a thinking man’s movie. Finding Forrester fits in
well with films like, A Beautiful Mind, Dead Poets Society,
and Good Will Hunting. They are those ‘feel good’ movies not
focused on violence or sex. Finding Forrester is a thought
provoking film where all aspects shine true.
Review
Filmed in the Bronx, Finding Forrester is a film about
courage, strength, and honour. Jamal Wallace is an inner city
kid who is a ‘diamond in the rough’ personified. At 16 years
old he does just enough to get by in school but not enough to
get noticed. Until his test scores are released and his
brilliance is found. Not only is he a tactful and profound
writer, he is one hell of a basketball player too. He is sent
to one of the most distinguished prep schools on the east
coast free of charge as long as he keeps his grades up.
Doesn’t sound too bad does it? As the film advances Jamal is
faced with several challenges, one that will affect his life
forever.
While attending his new school, Jamal starts to drift away
from his old friends. He has a hard time leaving them behind
but knows he must continue on. He befriends a strange old man
in his neighborhood that is only seen staring out his window.
People say that he stays in there because he killed someone or
he is really a ghost. On a dare, Jamal climbs up the fire
escape to find out what is really behind ‘the window’.
Something scares him off and he leaves his book bag behind.
While walking past the apartment the following day his bag
falls from the sky where it was hanging in the window.
Fortunately all his journals were there, but someone had
written in them. It turns out that the old man who lives in
the apartment is really William Forrester (Sean Connery), the
world famous author who wrote the definitive novel of the 20th
century. Jamal befriends William and together they work on
Jamal’s writing skills. As he excels beyond the belief of his
professor, Jamal is put to the test when his scholarships are
compromised of being suspended.
In the end Jamal must make his own life altering choices like
every teenager does. This heart-warming film takes viewers on
a journey through a peaceful story line with intelligent ideas
about life and how to live it.
Acting
Sean Connery; need I say more? Mr. Connery is one of the
world’s best actors. Whatever movie he stars in, he brings
certain sophistication and elegance. His visible European
nature and distinct Scottish accent make him head and
shoulders above the rest. Any movie with Sean Connery is a
pleasure to watch. Not only is he a talented actor, he is a
admirable speaker as well. The lesser-known cast of characters
perform just as well. Rob Brown (Jamal) and his girlfriend
(Anna Paquin) bring the film full circle giving it a realistic
“New York State of Mind” spirit.
Directing
Gus Van Sant hit the nail on the head with this film. Finding
Forrester was flawlessly completed with the right amount of
conflict and emotion. In a world full of hate and violence,
movies like Finding Forrester are a delight to see. The
relationship with Wallace and Forrester was portrayed quite
well. Jamal and William pretended that they didn’t want to
know anything about each other but instead grew closer to each
other. They were both in need of friends at a time in life
where people don’t know where to go.
Final Thoughts
Simply put, I love this movie. Even though society is obsessed
with violence and gore, Finding Forrester is the light at the
end of the tunnel. It holds your attention with dry humor, not
bloodshed. After watching it I felt that I wanted to see more
of it. I enjoyed the interaction between two different
generations and cultures. Connery and Brown were fantastic
together. However, be warned that you might want to look
elsewhere if you are looking for an action movie. I give this
film 5 planets and I don’t do that often. Finding Forrester is
such a good movie; you need to see it.
Jameson Rating:
5 out of 5 Planets
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