Finding Forrester: Review By moviegeek

Finding Forrester is a very easy film to watch. The screenplay is very simple, very relatable, and very mellow. There aren't any bursts of rage or conflict in the picture. Whatever bits of energy the picture has goes fully into keeping the picture moving. There isn't enough energy or momentum behind the picture to really leap off the screen. But what IS presented here in this film is some powerful acting, inspiring morals, and a genuinely good heart.

Gus Van Sant directed Good Will Hunting in 1997. Three years later, he basically rehashed the same idea for this film. An under-recognized, prodigious young individual (Matt Damon in Hunting, Rob Brown in Forrester) finds comfort in an older, more washed-up individual (Robin Williams; Sean Connery). I could spend paragraphs comparing the films, but it's needless for the sake of the review. What does matter is that you understand that these two pictures are near carbon-copies of each other.

Because of that, it's impossible not to measure one to another. So here it is: Good Will Hunting is FAR and away the better of these two pictures. It featured better performances, more conflict-driven energy, and much more depth. If you haven't seen that one, stop reading and see that picture instead. Then come back and revisit this review. If, however, you have seen it, don't shy away from watching this newer film. Even though it is a lesser, it still maintains some of the inspiring and sincere elements.

This film centers around Jamal White, a phenomenally talented African-American teenager. His outstanding academic and athletic achievements send him packing from his city school to a highly-respected private high-school. Along the way, he meets (rather unpleasantly) a once-esteemed, now-secluded author, William Forrester, who lives in his neighborhood. The two become acquaintances and soon friends as they see the true potential in one another. Jamal learns what it takes to become a great writer, and Forrester catches glimpses of what it means to truly fulfill a dream.

Now we know that in a film like this, something has to go wrong. But, to be honest, it's rather underwhelming. The stakes are set rather low, the characters don't seem moved by them, and the plot seems to hover around the emotion instead of attacking it. Direction is key here, and I think Van Sant was really unambitious with his approach. Everything goes write and too often. We can predict moments before they happen. There is no perplexity in this maturely-made picture.

On the positive side though, the scenes between Connery and newcomer Brown are perfect. They perfectly round out each other and do well to highlight key elements and emotions. Finding Forrester also boasts many positive role models for teens. Jamal is a perfect (almost too perfect...) example of integrity and perseverance. This is a film younger generations should watch; not so much for entertainment, but for uplifting inspiration.

I do have gripes towards this picture's cinematography however. In many scenes, especially the basketball ones, the camerawork is so obnoxiously shaky that the scenes become incomprehensible. This IS NOT a basketball movie. The rare times where the sport is presented in this film, I'd like to see what's going on! Not only that, but the sports games run at a ridiculously odd pacing. Though I enjoyed watching the sport and Jamal's success with it (especially when he astoundingly makes 50 free throws in a row--one of those "too perfect" moments), it would have been better for the film to cut out the athletic element and instead focus more on the relationship between the student and his expression, as well as Forrester and Jamal.

Yes, I have many complaints about where I would have preferred to see this movie go. But Finding Forrester is one of the most easy-going dramas out there. It's not demanding on the viewer and has some very uplifting moments in it. The film is completely inoffensive and wholesomely strong-minded. I can't strongly recommend this picture, but if you consider watching this, by all means do--it's certainly good, though not much more.

NOTE: Why the hoo-hah did the film include two F-bombs?! This would be a tremendously inspirational family film and would have been a great classroom movie for younger kids! The unnecessary language was a shamefully poor decision on the filmmakers' part.