Rating: 
Summary: MOVING TALE, DESPITE THE PLOT'S SHORTCOMINGS
Review: The story is so played -- a ghetto genius is discovered, quite by accident, and is guided by a rough-around-the-edges genius-in-his-own-right mentor. You have seen this in "Good Will Hunting" or "Hoop Dreams" among others. Fortunately, Finding Forrester does have a somewhat different hue, and unlike the mawkish sentimentality of movies like Patch Adams or Bruce Almighty, it includes decent and well-contained drama. It unfolds smoothly. So smoothly in fact that you don't really realize how many cardboard characters are smooshed in -- a spent-up reclusive J.D. Salinger type writer (Sean Connery), a failed writer with a grudge (the professor), a rich WASP student in a rich WASP school (the love interest of the black boy that never really takes off)..etc. Besides, the movie's main premise hinges on a rather implausible chance meeting between a bunch of kids playing basketball and a Pulitzer winning writer who purportedly lives a hermit's life. Yet, the script makes all the difference, it overshadows these minor quibbles. Very well written movie, tinged with modernistic poetry spoken and actuated with the least accents and efforts, more than enough to keep the spirit going. Recommended rental.
Rating: 
Summary: A HIGHLY ABSORBING, WELL ACTED FILM...
Review: This is a heartwarming movie with fine performances by Sean Connery, newcomer Rob Brown, F. Murray Abraham, Michael Nouri, and Anna Pacquin. Well directed by Gus Van Sant, the film revolves around the two main characters, William Forrester, played by Sean Connery, and sixteen year old Kamal, played by Rob Brown. William Forrester is a writer who, battling his own inner demons, has remained reclusive after writing a Pulitzer Prize winning novel some forty odd years earlier. Living alone in a changing neighborhood in the Bronx, he makes the acquaintance of Kamal, an intellectually gifted inner city kid, who plays street basketball, loves to write, and does both well. A mentoring relationship springs between the two. Under Forrester's secret tutorship, Kamal blossoms. When Kamal's scholastic test scores come to the attention of a local prep school, school officials offer him a scholarship to attend and, if he chooses to do so, play basketball on the school team. The school also turns out to be William Forrester's alma mater, where he is revered and his prize winning novel is required reading. There, Kamal encounters rank racism, all the more insidious because it is covert. F. Murray Abraham plays a teacher who is very similar to the character, Salieri, whom Abraham portrayed in the film "Amadeus". A failed writer who became a teacher, Abraham oozes racism as he contrives to destroy Kamal whom he accuses of plagirism, as he clearly believes him to be just another inner city, black basketball player who is incapable of anything more. He cannot seem to fathom that this kid could possibly write as well as he does, because he has Kamal stereotyped. Yet, Kamal is actually all that he puports to be, a gifted writer who just also happens to play basketball. Truly scholarly, he shows up his teacher in class, only to further exacerbate his emnity. This teacher's dislike and covert racism manifests itself in the exclusion of Kamal's entry in the prestigious writing competition sponsored by the prep school. This situation comes to a head when the teacher's racism is exposed for what it is in a stunning, surprising climax. Kamal, however, is not the only one to have a moment of redemption in the movie. Forrester, too, has that moment as he comes to grips with his past, the past that made him shut the world out for so long. It is his friendship with Kamal that illuminates his return to the very world from which he had withdrawn long ago. This film is about a friendship that is borne out of a shared passion. It is about the old nurturing the young. It is about passing the baton from one generation to the next. It is a film the transcends age and race. It is a film for everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Okay but not great
Review: Although this movie didn't engage me as much as most of Connery's movies, I still enjoyed it, and he's still excellent as the crusty but reclusive writer who takes a brilliant young black kid under his wing and nurtures his writing talent. Rob Brown is also excellent in the role and surprisingly good since he is apparently a non-actor. The relationship that develops between the two unlikely friends grows out of their love of books and writing, and they come to like and respect each other despite the cultural and generational gap that exists between them. F. Murray Abraham is also great playing the villain as usual who wrongly attempts to get Rob expelled for an infraction, when Connery suddenly comes to his aid at the climax. This reminded me of the final scene in "Scent of a Woman" in which Al Pacino comes to the aid of Chris O'Donnell at his exclusive New England private school. A little piece of trivia--did anybody notice the ending music during the credits with the Jamaican steel drum band? It was the same music used during the credits in the Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek movie, Badlands, about two serial killers in South Dakota back in the 50's. I loved that music but have no idea about how to get ahold of it, and I was amazed to find it by chance in this movie. The only reason I don't give the movie more stars is that it just doesn't seem to get off the ground dramatically, but maybe I just don't appreciate the director's naturalistic, low-key style, since that could have been what he intended. Overall, however, it's still a good flick and worth seeing if you're a Connery fan like me.
Rating: 
Summary: HEART FELT, REALISTIC FANTASY
Review: Having taught a few decades ago in the South Bronx, I found the setting and kids portrayed in FINDING FORRESTER refreshingly believable. I was getting to think that Hollywood could only find thugs and drug addicts among its usual stereotypes of poor black kids living in such areas. So it was refreshing and even encouraging to be treated to a story with top actors, led by one of its action-adventure, senior sex symbols Sean Connery, as the titled recluse novelist Forrester. The celebrated F. Murray Abraham did a creditable job portraying the nemesis of the central character Jamal played by, who years ago would have been called a "natural actor," Rob Brown. By now, most people reading this must known the plot: basketball superstar ghetto teenager is discovered to be a literary genius who struggles with his identity while being given the chance to succeed on a scholarship at a prestigious private high school. The budding teen writer meets a hermit novelist buried away in his 'hood, and the two become friends and literary soul mates. I liked the story and the acting for the most part. Connery and Brown were a marvelous team. However, much as I like Abraham as an actor it seemed to me he played the personality of his villain (Jamal's English composition teacher who tries to get him expelled by proving the kid's brilliant essays were all plagiarized writing) a bit too much like Salieri in AMADEUS. Maybe, had I not seen the Mozart movie this would not have irritated me so much. Nevertheless, I can't hold that against the movie. Uplifting, realistic fantasies, avoiding stereotypes and not challenging common sense have become such a rarity these days that five stars is a fair rating for this thoroughly enjoyable movie. I'll bet teenagers like it too.
Rating:
Summary: Finding Forrester: Review by John
Review: Finding Forester is a Gus Van Zant filmed released in 2000, and starring Rob Brown, Sean Connery, and F. Murrey Abraham.
In the film, Brown plays Jamal Wallace, a talented high school basketball player and gifted writer from the Bronx. In a starnge twist of fate, a dare brings him into contact with William Forrester (Connery) a shut in writer with only one literary masterpiece. Forrest becomes Jamal's writing teacher, and helps him negotiate with the politics of Jamal's new private school and his conflict with teacher(Abraham).
This movie was pleasant enough, stressing important themes such as the price of fame and expectations, the burdens of talent, and the ultimate importance of education.
Watching this movie I was reminded too much of Van Zant's other old man/young man friendship film, Good Will Hunting. These movies are different in many ways, but overall there was just too much of a connection for me. I kept wondering when Robin Williams was going to walk on to the film and say, "It's not your fault."
The cast is quite effective, and newcomer Rob Brown is very believable as the budding genius. F. Murrey Abraham is good as the nasty teacher, but Sean Connery, who also produced this film, steals every scene he is in. Connery's energy and knack for turning the grinch into a father-figure make his work outstanding. This is a nice, watchable film but if you like it, definatly check out some of Van Zant's earlier work, such as Good Will Hunting, or Drugstore Cowboy.
Rating:
Summary: Your the man now, dog!
Review: I loved the way that a most uncommon friendship formed between 2 most different people. Who would have thought that Sean Connery fitted into a role such as this, but it was very clever to see it all develop. I've always enjoyed the melancholy acting of F. Murray Abraham, and once again he proves that he is perfect for the role. It was the first movie where I realized that Busta Rhymes acted on the side.I thought he almost played a key role as the ideal big brother, and showed the genuine love for Jamal that some siblings never experience. Rob Brown, awesome. A talented young basketball player who learns that he is also a talented writer. One thing that I love are some of the comments that Brown and Connery come out with in this. Brown: "You read all these, man?" Connery: "No, I just have them to impress all my visitors." Another one I like is, "Bolt the door... if you're coming in." But my favorite line throughout the whole film as to be one you probably would never expect from someone like Sean Connery. He booms, "PUNCH THE KEYS!!!" and Jamal punches the keys, and then he proceeds to say, "You're the man now, dog!" Who's gonna forget that! Ha!
Rating:
Summary: MOVING TALE, DESPITE THE PLOT'S SHORTCOMINGS
Review: The story is so played -- a ghetto genius is discovered, quite by accident, and is guided by a rough-around-the-edges genius-in-his-own-right mentor. You have seen this in "Good Will Hunting" or "Hoop Dreams" among others. Fortunately, Finding Forrester does have a somewhat different hue, and unlike the mawkish sentimentality of movies like Patch Adams or Bruce Almighty, it includes decent and well-contained drama. It unfolds smoothly. So smoothly in fact that you don't really realize how many cardboard characters are smooshed in -- a spent-up reclusive J.D. Salinger type writer (Sean Connery), a failed writer with a grudge (the professor), a rich WASP student in a rich WASP school (the love interest of the black boy that never really takes off)..etc. Besides, the movie's main premise hinges on a rather implausible chance meeting between a bunch of kids playing basketball and a Pulitzer winning writer who purportedly lives a hermit's life. Yet, the script makes all the difference, it overshadows these minor quibbles. Very well written movie, tinged with modernistic poetry spoken and actuated with the least accents and efforts, more than enough to keep the spirit going. Recommended rental.
Rating:
Summary: The Integrity of Friendship
Review: When I dropped by in a dvd/vcd store, i found 'Finding Forrester' in a shelf together with other great titles. I am a person who loves to see inspiring and thought-moving films and I'm fond of it and in fact collecting them as much as possible. With my tight budget I have so far, I can't resist to buy another one and thus, I bought 'Finding Forrester'. Soon when I arrived home, I immediately viewed it. I did not read the short synopsis at the back of the dvd/vcd because I want myself to be drawn unto the movie and most especially its story. 'Finding Forrester' is a movie that tells how important the integrity of friendship inspite of race differences, talents, level of intelligence or others that might be consider as a standard. William Forrester played by Sean Connery is an eccentric novelist with ill-tempered manners but a compassionate and well-depth person that ideally can be considered as a true mentor. Rob Brown is a newcomer actor who played Jamal Wallace, an Afro-American gifted-person in writings who at the same excels in basketball game. His performance was fair enough in giving justice to his character however, it is much better if he gives more 'life' or an 'emotional magic' to some scenes that needed most. I don't want him to be ultra-emotional but a little bit of stress of feelings to his character may somehow move the viewers.
Sean Connery gave a brilliant performance to his character, he really personified what a novelist is, giving also justice to the fears and hopes of a novelist which he strongly portrayed. He showed us a picture (somehow) of how life can be for a novelist who after the fame of receiving Pulitzer-award...what comes next? what will the future will bring me to? how far i should be like this?---questions we sometimes asks in ourselves especially in our mid-life stage. One of my favorite actors is Sean Connery but it doesn't mean to say that I'll gave a plus factor for him because he's one of my favorites, to be fair enough...I really find this movie inspiring and moving if you could only watch it with understanding...you'll never mind the actors but the characters and most importantly, the story that matters most. Because of this film, I even like more Sean Connery as a well-deserved respect as an actor. Truly a brilliant actor. But the essence of this movie is all about friendship...if you are expecting to be a 'glorious' 'triumphant' movie at the end which the hero won in a contest or something...you better not expect that although there is a contest in the movie but it is not much emphasized or gave too much focus but the mutual friendship of both main characters. Integirty became a vital ingredient and important gem of the story. Integrity that keeps friendship so strong and lasts forever till the end. It happend to William Forrester and Jamal Wallace. This movie truly teach you the importance of Integrity in a friendship. A plus also in this movie, is the soundtrack...r&b is the theme which fits actually in the setting of this film. I love to hear all over again the themesong 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' and 'What a Wonderful World' which was beautifully done in acoustic manner. Brilliant casts...outstanding performance...very good scripting...I hope you'll find it too when you watch 'Finding Forrester'...
Rating: 
Summary: Not Much To Find Here
Review: Probably Gus Van Sant`s more mainstream (and uninspired??) movie, "Finding Forrester" presents a couple of intriguing moments and ideas yet the result is typical and too close to cliched territory. A coming-of-age story combined with an essay about the writing process, this average melodrama starts well enough but loses its steam halfway through. There`s nothing new here, and some of the plot resembles aspects of the previous (and better) Van Sant`s picture, "Good Will Hunting". Sure, the acting is very convincing and the direction shows some brilliance at parts, but the pacing is too uneven and drags in many moments. "Finding Forrester" is also too PC and "pretty", delivering another awe-inspiring Hollywood piece of fluff that doesn`t dare to challenge the viewer (and Van Sant is usually a challenging director). Overall, this cinematic experience is not a complete disaster but doesn`t manage to impress either, offering a so-so story that has been done before and with better results. Good at parts, a somewhat interesting failure as a whole.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent movie
Review: this movie was great. Everything everyone has said is true about it, itis a very uplifting movie and a hope amoungst the hopeless type story. ETC, and for that guy at the bottom who is putting down this movie, he is clueless, Rob Brown has done plenty of acting since Finding Forrester, such as Coach Carter, Orphan King, and Primal. Gotta get ur facts straight before you decide to diss a great movie. Everyone should get this DVD. Thanks for reading
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