Finding Forrester

2000 Drama

In the spirit of his Oscar-winning Good Will Hunting, Gus Van Sant directs this tale of the unlikely bond that develops between an aging, reclusive novelist named Forrester (Sean Connery) -- who hasn't written anything since winning a Pulitzer Prize decades earlier -- and Jamal (Rob Brown), a 16-year-old with a hidden desire to be a writer. When Jamal is cited for his athleticism in basketball by an elite Manhattan prep school, he is forced to adapt to an environment far from his South Bronx upbringing, and a small mishap leads him to the eccentric, uneasy Forrester. After their initial apprehension of each other, they begin to fuel each other's fire for writing, and become unlikely friends despite their ages and backgrounds. Forrester's devotion to Jamal becomes enhanced when he must defend allegations of plagiarism enforced by Professor Crawford (F. Murray Abraham), jeopardizing Jamal's future. The film also features Anna Paquin, Busta Rhymes, and Zane Copeland, Jr.. more..

Director: Gus Van Sant

Starring: Sean Connery,Rob Brown, F. Murray Abraham, Anna Paquin, Busta Rhymes

 30 Reviews  10 Awards

Reviews

  • The ending leans to soap opera, but Van Sant, revisiting the closet-genius theme of "Good Will Hunting" is too keen an observer of character to let this funny and touching film go soft.

    Peter Travers - Rolling Stone

    19 January 2013

  • Manages to take the cerebral act of literary creation and make it exciting, sexy even.

    Michael O'Sullivan - The Washington Post

    19 January 2013

  • The scenes between the old man and the teenager are at the heart of the movie, and it's a pleasure to watch the rapport between Connery, in his 50th year of acting, and Brown, in his first role.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    19 January 2013

  • One can't underestimate the appeal of any movie constructed around Sean Connery's charm.

    Mike Clark - USA Today

    19 January 2013

  • A juicy and gratifying teacher movie (a genre to which I'm partial). The joy in performance shared by Connery and Brown is the big reason.

    Jay Carr - The Boston Globe

    19 January 2013

Awards

  • Gus Van Sant

    Berlin International Film Festival (2001)

  • Theatrical - Best Supporting Actor

    Black Reel Awards (2001)

     

  • Best Casting for Feature Film, Drama

    Casting Society of America (2001)

     

  • Most Promising Actor

    Chicago Film Critics Association Awards (2001)

     

  • Best Actor

    Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards (2001)

     

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