FINDING FORRESTER

 

Four Stars - Uplifting

 

 

       People get lost for a variety of reasons.  Some are misplaced by a society which sees little value in searching for them.     Others are displaced by a society that pursues them so intensely that they flee into a self-imposed exile.  Still others lose themselves due to personal pain and loss.  While these types may be lost for different reasons, their inner souls are remarkably the same:  all are in need of being found.

       Creating a modern parable which expresses the truth of the Good Shepherd’s mission to find the lost sheep, Director Gus Van Sant creates a masterpiece in his film “Finding Forrester.”

        William Forrester (Sean Connery) is a Pulitzer-prize winning author who has isolated himself in his fourth story Bronx apartment because of his losses as well as his success.  Pouring his soul into a novel expressing his deep pain at the loss of his brother, Forrester is overwhelmed by the success of his book.  Pursued by both editors and critics, Forrester becomes increasingly cynical and fearful until he finally is unable to leave his apartment and lives for decades in isolation.

       Antithetical to Forrester’s fame and importance, Jamal Wallace (Robert Brown) is a poor inner-city high school student whose presence in the community is seemingly insignificant.  Though abandoned by an alcoholic father and left on his own by his hardworking mother, Jamal intuitively knows he is lost and actively searches for significance and purpose in life.

       Turning in secret to the world of the mind, Jamal’s gifted intelligence not only masters the classics but attempts to create his own literary masterpieces as well.  It is then that fate brings Jamal and Forrester together.

       A legend in the neighborhood as a ghost-like creature who never leaves the apartment but watches everything from his window, Forrester becomes the object of a dare by Jamal’s friends.  The result of this dare is the unexpected friendship which is created between these two lost souls.

       Their interactions are remarkably simple and unbelievably healing in both of their lives.

       Forrester, having reached an age where he needs to pass his wisdom on to the next generation, is ripe for the task of mentoring young Jamal.  Jamal, having been abandoned by his own father and challenged by his own intelligence, is in need of a guiding hand and commensurate instructor.  It is truly a match made in heaven and both are blessed.

       This is most often the result of friendship.  Drawn to one another for mutual reasons, the very relational dynamic often provides each with the balance and confrontation needed for their continued growth.

       When Jamal’s basketball skills and intellectual prowess provide a door out of his inner-city school and entrance into a private prep school, Forrester’s encouragement and assistance not only helps Jamal succeed but also makes him so effective that a prejudiced prep school professor is skeptical and questions his integrity.  This is the final test of their friendship.  Will Forrester come out of hiding and vouch for his new friend’s character or will he continuing hiding from life and relationships?

       The answer to this question produces a life change for both Forrester and Jamal that fits the dynamic message in this film.  Finding lost people is most often a process in which love and involvement creates a bond able to defeat the prejudice or evil that attempts to break it.

 

 

(558 words)

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