For the most part, movies made from books, or are either about books or their authors, haven't exactly been literate.
Part of the problem could be that developing characters isn't as easy on celluloid as it is in print, while the restrictive film format doesn't exactly place importance on coming up with realistic or intelligent dialogue.
But every once in a while, there will be at least one movie that nearly gets it right, such as "Finding Forrester." For at least the first two-thirds of the story, this drama plays out like a pretty involving novel.
And even when the movie finally does succumb to the easy temptations of Hollywood storytelling, especially a particularly hamfisted and unsatisfying conclusion, it's been such a joy to get to that point that it can be forgiven.
Besides, you've got to give it at least a little credit for its unusual — and somewhat risky — pairing of a crafty old screen veteran (in this case, a seemingly refreshed Sean Connery) and a surprisingly skillful newcomer (Rob Brown).
Brown stars as Jamal Wallace, a Bronx high-school student with a secret: Though he's a talented basketball player, he's also a voracious reader who's been writing in a journal since his father left.
Jamal gets a chance to explore his creative side when he's recruited to go to a prestigious prep school. But to succeed there, he's going to need help, which he gets from a most unexpected source — a mysterious neighborhood hermit (Connery) who turns out to be William Forrester, a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist.
For four decades, Forrester has been content to stay in his brownstone apartment, rarely if ever talking to anyone else — at least until Jamal breaks in (on a dare). Rather than having him arrested, though, Forrester chases out the teen, who accidentally leaves his backpack in the apartment.
On a whim, Forrester assesses Jamal's writing, and soon enough he's encouraging the young prodigy to write. In fact, with his help, the teen manages to impress his new teachers and fellow students (including Anna Paquin). Unfortunately, there's at least one teacher (F. Murray Abraham) who believes Jamal may be plagiarizing someone else's work.
It's at this point that the script (by newcomer Mike Rich) becomes predictable and a bit far-fetched (especially a basketball-playoffs scene that's just ludicrous). Fortunately, director Gus Van Sant ("Good Will Hunting") and a terrific cast help make up for it.
Brown, who has been touted as having no acting experience whatsoever, is a natural, and his unforced performance is a genuine surprise. Of course, some of that may be attributed to Connery, who turns in some of his best big-screen work in years — work that suggests he should stop acting in action pieces and concentrate on character pieces.
"Finding Forrester" is rated PG-13 for occasional use of profanity (including the so-called "R-rated" curse word) and crude slang terms, brief violence (a basketball court scuffle), use of racial epithets and brief sex (overheard). Running time: 133 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com