Monday Morning Maybe

Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Poster for Finding Forrester

Finding Forrester

Seen it?

2000 | 136 min | Drama, History

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It's still drawing plenty of interest. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for history buffs. If you loved Coach Carter or The Fabelmans, start here.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 16 min.
What might put you off
Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.

Gus Van Sant tells the story of a young African American man named Jamal who confronts his talents while living on the streets of the Bronx. He accidentally runs into an old writer named Forrester who discovers his passion for writing. With help from his new mentor Jamal receives a scholarship to a private school.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsSolid

    74% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.1 out of 10

  • AwardsWeak

    Won 1 Berlin award: Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize.

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $80 million worldwide on a $43 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 267K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by Gus Van Sant

  • Sean ConneryWilliam Forrester
  • Rob BrownJamal Wallace
  • F. Murray AbrahamRobert Crawford
  • Anna PaquinClaire Spence
  • Damany MathisKenzo
  • Busta RhymesTerrell Wallace
  • April GraceMs. Joyce
  • Michael PittJohn Coleridge
  • Michael NouriDr. Spence
  • Richard EastonProf. Matthews