What Is The Purpose Of Finding Forrester

The film, Finding Forrester, characterizes the unlikely relationship formed, between a withdrawn, hermit writer William Forrester, and Jamal Wallace, a basketball star from the Bronx, through their mutual proclivity for the art of writing. The plot of the film revolves around Jamal’s transitions to a highly prestigious private school and the events that led to Forrester becoming a mentor towards Jamal’s writing. Both reclusive in nature, for Jamal his academic endeavors, and Forrester nearly all aspects of his life; together, their shared bond opens them up further to the world. The title, Finding Forrester, refers to the mutualistic beneficial nature of their friendship, in that Jamal helps Forrester find himself, in addition to Forrester

helping Jamal become a better writer.
Referring to the latter, we see in which Jamal seeks out Forrester, for aid in becoming a better writer.

The film develops Jamal as a character whom has all the intellect and abilities to become a top student and writer. But due to circumstances and environment he chooses to hide this side of himself. After meeting through a series of events, and being intrigued in the way his writing had been critiqued, he pursues Forrester for more. Although their relationship began on shaky terms, Forrester relented to Jamal, agreeing to aid in the development of his writing, on the conditional basis that Jamal follows all the rules that he laid out. Although the lessons usually extended further than just writing, the main advice in terms of writing that Forrester gave was sometimes you just need to stop thinking and write. Further to get his creative juices flowing, Jamal was allowed to begin his pieces with Forrester’s past work. Teaching him it’s not where you begin, it’s how you finish. Not only was this conducive to his writing, it related back to Jamal’s upbringing and environment. The mentoring of Jamal was not so much for the improvement in the product of his work, but the development in the processes of his writing. The results of these lessons showcased the vast improvement in his writing. So profoundly great was his writing that it was accused of plagiarism. Additionally, the lessons not only made him a better writer, he became more comfortable in his own shoes, no longer afraid to display the true limits of his

capabilities.
Throughout the film, piece by piece, we gain knowledge of the conditions of Forrester’s past. For a large portion of his life, Forrester secluded himself to the confinements of his apartment, characterizes his life to becoming the man in the window. With the abrupt introduction of Jamal into his life, his foundations are shaken. Jamal both challenges Forrester on his beliefs and takes him out to the world, things that Forrester had not experienced in many years. The friendship between the two allowed and forced Forrester to look deeply within. For Forrester, to come in save Jamal at his school, was a momentous leap. The past had built up so many barriers in Forrester’s life, causing him to fear building relationships, but for Forrester to sacrifice everything he so cautiously built, demonstrated how impactful Jamal’s relationship with him was. Jamal’s unwillingness to give up Forrester provided strength and courage to Forrester, in which he used to return home and to search further within. The friendship in itself was what changed Forrester, the letter concluding that it was Jamal who had helped him realize the errors of his ways and that it was not too late to change.
Finding Forrester portrayed the story of two individuals, whose relationship, made both more complete people, as one journeyed to become a better writer and the other understanding who he was himself. Both dynamic characters in themselves, they developed as the plot moved along and their friendship grew closer. And as seasons change, so did Forrester and Jamal, as although they did not know what they were looking for, they both found what they needed most.