Academy Award winner SEAN CONNERY stars in this powerful and unforgettable drama from acclaimed director Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, To Die For). With a strong cast including Academy Award winners F. MURRAY ABRAHAM (Amadeus, Last Action Hero) and ANNA PAQUIN (The Piano, X-Men), the film also features rap music superstar Busta Rhymes (Shaft) and an incredible performance from talented newcomer Rob Brown.
Jamal Wallace (Brown) is a talented 16-year-old basketball player in New York City whose secret passion is writing. William Forrester (Connery) is a reclusive Pulitizer Prize-winning novelist who never gave the world a second novel. After an accidental meeting, Forrester becomes Jamal’s unlikely mentor, providing guidance to help develop the young man’s exceptional skills. Soon, Forrester’s harsh view of the world begins to change as both men learn lessons from each other about life – and the importance of friendship.
Critic Reviews:
- " Brown, in his acting debut, displays the balance of book smarts, street smarts, and vulnerability that is crucial to the part. " – Michael Dequina (TheMovieReport.com)
- " A nicely inspirational affair. " – Leigh Paatsch (Herald Sun, Australia)
- " A nice-looking, nice-feeling exercise in conventionalism that sure could use a couple of transvestites and maybe a house falling from the sky. " – Kimberley Jones (Austin Chronicle)