At the Movies: 'Finding Forrester'

Tuesday, December 19th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

At last, a bona fide Academy Award nominee among the 2000 crop of movies. ``Finding Forrester'' qualifies handsomely, combining an extraordinary script, meticulous direction and two heartfelt performances, one by a grizzled veteran of the film wars, the other by a 16-year-old who had never acted professionally before.

The film obviously borrows from the legend of J.D. Salinger. William Forrester (Sean Connery) produced one classic novel in his young life, then disappeared from the literary world. Secluded in his top-story apartment, he views the outside world from a window. He forms an unlikely friendship with an inner-city teen-ager, Jamal Wallace (Rob Brown), and nurtures the boy's rare gift as a writer.

Although Jamal is a ``C'' student at his South Bronx public school, tests prove he is gifted. He wins a scholarship to a tony Manhattan private school, which may be more interested in his basketball skills. His only friend there is the trustee's daughter (Anna Paquin). His enemy is the embittered, vengeful Professor Crawford (F. Murray Abraham), who can't believe the boy could write such brilliant papers. Jamal is charged with plagiarism and faces return to a ghetto life barren of hope.

Yes, the finale is sentimental melodrama. But so was the ending of ``It's a Wonderful Life,'' and it has endured all these years.

Director Gus Van Sant, whose earlier, edgier films like ``Drugstore Cowboy'' and ``My Own Private Idaho'' were hailed by critics but ignored by audiences, broke into the mainstream with 1997's ``Good Will Hunting'' (which ``Finding Forrester'' resembles in its teacher-student theme). His new film contains many subtle moments that contribute immeasurably.

An apprehensive Jamal rides the subway to his first visit to the private school, the only black face amid impeccably groomed yuppies on their way to jobs on Wall Street and Madison Avenue. The scene lasts a few seconds, but it speaks volumes.

Van Sant deserves credit for nurturing Brown's innate talent. It's incredible that the boy had never been on camera or on a stage. His open face expresses all the anguish of growing up in a hostile world. Surrounded by three Oscar winners â€” Connery, Abraham and Paquin â€” he remains the focus of attention throughout.

Forrester is tailor-made for Connery â€” gruff, wise and ultimately fair. It should be no surprise that he was also co-producer.

Abraham fills his role with delicious villainy. Paquin has developed into a mature actress as well as a rare beauty.

Mike Rich has written a rare script that is erudite and intensely moving. It is stimulating to hear Forrester and Jamal argue over use of a conjunction like ``and'' to begin a sentence (Forrester takes the old-fashioned view that it's forbidden; Jamal reasons correctly that it's now allowable). Another good moment comes when Jamal corrects the professor in class over the difference between ``further'' and ``farther.''

``Finding Forrester,'' a Columbia Pictures release, is rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some sexual references. Running time: 136 minutes.

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Motion Picture Association of America rating definitions:

G â€” General audiences. All ages admitted.

PG â€” Parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

PG-13 â€” Special parental guidance strongly suggested for children under 13. Some material may be inappropriate for young children.

R â€” Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

NC-17 â€” No one under 17 admitted.