Finding Forrester is a 2000 drama film directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Sean Connery as William Forrester, a reclusive Pulitzer Prize-winning author who begins mentoring a talented young African-American high school student named Jamal Wallace, played by Rob Brown.
Jamal is a gifted basketball player with a talent for writing, which he initially keeps hidden from his circle of friends and family. He discovers Forrester's apartment after breaking into it and while escaping, he leaves behind a backpack containing his writing notebooks. Forrester reads Jamal's work and is impressed with his natural ability.
Forrester agrees to mentor Jamal, but only under the condition that Jamal keeps their relationship a secret. Jamal begins visiting Forrester's apartment every day after school and the two develop a close friendship. Forrester encourages Jamal to pursue his writing talent and helps him refine his skills, while also teaching him about literature and life in general.
Jamal's writing talents are noticed by his English teacher, Robert Crawford, played by F. Murray Abraham, who is initially skeptical of Jamal's abilities. Crawford discovers that Jamal's writing is plagiarized and threatens to expel him from school. The situation is resolved after Forrester comes forward and admits to being the true author of the work.
The film ends with Jamal receiving a scholarship offer from a prestigious private school along with a personal letter from Forrester stating that he is proud of Jamal and that he has found his own writing voice. The two end their relationship on good terms as Forrester retreats back into his reclusive lifestyle.
Finding Forrester was praised for its performances, particularly that of Connery, as well as its themes of mentorship, race, and self-discovery. The film's score, composed by Terence Blanchard, also received critical acclaim and was nominated for several awards.