Wednesday, 30 March 2016
Wednesday, 16 March 2016
"Finding Forrester" Film Review
Produced in 2000, “Finding Forrester” is a Columbia Pictures film. With director, Gus Van Sant, and actors like the three time Golden Globe winner, Sean Connery, and, Rob Brown. Along with a few astounding supporting actors like Anna Paquin, Matt Damon, and F. Murray Abraham, this film is booming with exciting talent. Enjoying the discovery involved in the story, of how a single person must decide their own fate, and the gift of friendship is one of the most outstanding characteristics the story contains. Subsequently making 80 million dollars in box office prices, I think it is clear that “Finding Forrester” is one, entertaining experience.
Our movie begins with a promising sixteen year old, with a passion for basketball. For this character, Jamal Wallace (Rob Brown), decisions are everything. Living in the Bronx can be a dangerous thing when you are a man of colour, and when trying to uphold a certain expectation from his friends, these obstacles become even more severe. Once he notices a man watching him from above, in an apartment window, with his friend’s praise, he steps into the man’s apartment. Something that may have seemed like an ordinary living space to anyone else, nevertheless, soon became a sanctuary for Jamal. Finally, he finds someone to share his private life of writing with, and, for this mysterious recluse, someone to remove him from his state of privacy. Upon developing an unlikely friendship with “The Window” (Sean Connery), this young man accepts a placement in a private school, better suited to his literary skills. After his acceptance, things take an unexpected turn in Jamal’s life once he realizes his new “friend” is infact a former novelist named William Forrester.
We all remember the classic novel “To Kill A Mockingbird”. In many ways, “Finding Forrester” can be, as itself, a mockingbird. During the film, each protagonist struggles with himself; whether it be Jamal’s obstacle of choosing between his passion for writing, or basketball; or William’s conflict with reality. Both “To Kill A Mockingbird” and “Finding Forrester” have these aspects of self discovery along the path of development. Similar to characters like Boo Radley (To Kill A Mockingbird), William finds comfort within himself, however, later realizes his growing affection towards simple facets of the outside world. When we compare Jamal Wallace to the characters Scout, Jem, or even, Dill,we can see obvious similarities. Each of these characters attempt to understand the ways of others, whether it be the ways of adults, as Jamal struggles to understand Professor Crawford’s standing, or even just how social status compares in society. Both stories share a theme of judgement in the sense that it is difficult for others to believe Jamal is an outstanding writer, based solely on the colour of his skin, just as it is difficult for the jury to see Tom Robinson (To Kill A Mockingbird) as innocent. With these two stories, the comparisons are endless, and each alike, were fascinating pieces of art.
Although the film’s message remains clear, it possesses extraordinary leads, and supporting actors, the story also has it’s downfalls. In my own opinion, the soundtrack chosen for this movie was quite well thought out. The musical collections of Miles Davis with Lonely Fire, and Vonetta really capture the character of William Forrester. He can be silent and introverted, still, has a loneliness to him. Soothing sounds throughout the film are used excellently in his presence, however, these songs fail to shine any light onto Rob Brown’s character. They are sweet and sound, like the wind, yet Jamal is a man of loud thoughts, and provoking attitude that is actually used beautifully in the story, although lacks in the sounds. Even though the story is one of expert composition, it as well, was very predictable. As many films are, the outcome in the end is always something of what we expect in the beginning, (e.g. boy gets the girl; the athlete wins the championship; etc.), however, “Finding Forrester” did have it’s ways of shocking its audience. The finale is something that can be only described as suiting to it’s plot, though fascinating all the same. It leaves its viewers speechless in awe, yet satisfied. Clearly the acting was phenomenal, with impacting quotes like “ You must write your first draft with your heart….The first key to writing is... to write, not to think!”, and “We walk away from our dreams afraid we may fail, or worse yet, afraid we may succeed.” the audience is in complete astonishment at what is taking place before their mundane eyes, for all 2 hours and 16 minutes.
When watching this film, you get a feeling of unity. As a literature fanatic, this film is an extremely enjoyable story with a plot that will capture your attention in diverse ways. With a theme of friendship, and social minority, “Finding Forrester” reaches out to everyone it can. Showing how the power of friendship, and coming together as one, can do amazing things. Between developing friendships with the most unlikely of characters, and showing the world how opposites really do attract, the plot gives its viewers something to chew on in the aftermath. Personally, I believe that the producers of “Finding Forrester” really knew what they were doing; conveying the message perfectly to it’s viewers, in a way even a child could comprehend.
If you take pride in the art of literature, or if you are at that crossroad in your life where decisions are everything, this is the movie for you. Jamal’s challenge to remain connected to his past life, and still thrive in writing, will make anyone nostalgic. Thinking of a time you faced, or are facing, where you need to choose between the ones you love, and the thing you love to do. If you cannot find a connection to Rob Brown’s character, than odds are you are the Sean Connery of this story. Everyone can compare their personal experiences in some way. Whether it be Jamal, William, or even Professor Crawford, there is something in this film for every distinct personality.
Our movie begins with a promising sixteen year old, with a passion for basketball. For this character, Jamal Wallace (Rob Brown), decisions are everything. Living in the Bronx can be a dangerous thing when you are a man of colour, and when trying to uphold a certain expectation from his friends, these obstacles become even more severe. Once he notices a man watching him from above, in an apartment window, with his friend’s praise, he steps into the man’s apartment. Something that may have seemed like an ordinary living space to anyone else, nevertheless, soon became a sanctuary for Jamal. Finally, he finds someone to share his private life of writing with, and, for this mysterious recluse, someone to remove him from his state of privacy. Upon developing an unlikely friendship with “The Window” (Sean Connery), this young man accepts a placement in a private school, better suited to his literary skills. After his acceptance, things take an unexpected turn in Jamal’s life once he realizes his new “friend” is infact a former novelist named William Forrester.
We all remember the classic novel “To Kill A Mockingbird”. In many ways, “Finding Forrester” can be, as itself, a mockingbird. During the film, each protagonist struggles with himself; whether it be Jamal’s obstacle of choosing between his passion for writing, or basketball; or William’s conflict with reality. Both “To Kill A Mockingbird” and “Finding Forrester” have these aspects of self discovery along the path of development. Similar to characters like Boo Radley (To Kill A Mockingbird), William finds comfort within himself, however, later realizes his growing affection towards simple facets of the outside world. When we compare Jamal Wallace to the characters Scout, Jem, or even, Dill,we can see obvious similarities. Each of these characters attempt to understand the ways of others, whether it be the ways of adults, as Jamal struggles to understand Professor Crawford’s standing, or even just how social status compares in society. Both stories share a theme of judgement in the sense that it is difficult for others to believe Jamal is an outstanding writer, based solely on the colour of his skin, just as it is difficult for the jury to see Tom Robinson (To Kill A Mockingbird) as innocent. With these two stories, the comparisons are endless, and each alike, were fascinating pieces of art.
Although the film’s message remains clear, it possesses extraordinary leads, and supporting actors, the story also has it’s downfalls. In my own opinion, the soundtrack chosen for this movie was quite well thought out. The musical collections of Miles Davis with Lonely Fire, and Vonetta really capture the character of William Forrester. He can be silent and introverted, still, has a loneliness to him. Soothing sounds throughout the film are used excellently in his presence, however, these songs fail to shine any light onto Rob Brown’s character. They are sweet and sound, like the wind, yet Jamal is a man of loud thoughts, and provoking attitude that is actually used beautifully in the story, although lacks in the sounds. Even though the story is one of expert composition, it as well, was very predictable. As many films are, the outcome in the end is always something of what we expect in the beginning, (e.g. boy gets the girl; the athlete wins the championship; etc.), however, “Finding Forrester” did have it’s ways of shocking its audience. The finale is something that can be only described as suiting to it’s plot, though fascinating all the same. It leaves its viewers speechless in awe, yet satisfied. Clearly the acting was phenomenal, with impacting quotes like “ You must write your first draft with your heart….The first key to writing is... to write, not to think!”, and “We walk away from our dreams afraid we may fail, or worse yet, afraid we may succeed.” the audience is in complete astonishment at what is taking place before their mundane eyes, for all 2 hours and 16 minutes.
When watching this film, you get a feeling of unity. As a literature fanatic, this film is an extremely enjoyable story with a plot that will capture your attention in diverse ways. With a theme of friendship, and social minority, “Finding Forrester” reaches out to everyone it can. Showing how the power of friendship, and coming together as one, can do amazing things. Between developing friendships with the most unlikely of characters, and showing the world how opposites really do attract, the plot gives its viewers something to chew on in the aftermath. Personally, I believe that the producers of “Finding Forrester” really knew what they were doing; conveying the message perfectly to it’s viewers, in a way even a child could comprehend.
If you take pride in the art of literature, or if you are at that crossroad in your life where decisions are everything, this is the movie for you. Jamal’s challenge to remain connected to his past life, and still thrive in writing, will make anyone nostalgic. Thinking of a time you faced, or are facing, where you need to choose between the ones you love, and the thing you love to do. If you cannot find a connection to Rob Brown’s character, than odds are you are the Sean Connery of this story. Everyone can compare their personal experiences in some way. Whether it be Jamal, William, or even Professor Crawford, there is something in this film for every distinct personality.
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