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A look at FINDING FORRESTER
Hey folks, Harry here with Gus Van Sant's latest film, FINDING FORRESTER... we haven't been getting all that much info on this film, but what word we have had has been pretty positive. This is along those lines again. Stig is our man watching this one...
Harry!
So how's it goin?
Life is good over here, and I was exceedingly fortunate enough to see Gus
Van Sant's latest film last night, FINDING FORRESTER. Ever since the death
of River Phoenix, Van Sant has vowed to exclusively make "life-affirming
movies", and his latest is no exception. The film is scope, runs 2 hours
and 10 minutes (though tinkering is still being done, hence the pushed
release date), and has a price tag of 42 million.
There will be a lot of comparisons to GOOD WILL HUNTING, and justifiably so:
FORRESTER is the literary counterpart to the mathematically-themed
HUNTING.
But, FORRESTER is less of a mainstream endeavor, despite the similarities in
plot between the two films. Despite the traditional narrative, Van Sant has
created a very original and inventive VISUAL narrative.
Memorable is Harris Savides' cinematography. He worked with Fincher on THE
GAME and also shot the beautiful THE YARDS which was released earlier this
year. FORRESTER is equally as beautiful as the latter films, but in a raw,
extremely dark, and even Kodachromic way. Van Sant has a history of working
with brilliant DPs (Yves on GWH and Chris Doyle on PSYCHO), but what is
remarkable is that each of his films have a distinct look, and Van Sant's
style matures with each film.
Also impressive is the editing by Dogme 95 veteran editor Valdis
Oskarsdottir. If you've seen JULIEN DONKEY-BOY or FESTEN, then you know how
the pacing and cutwork on those films give them a unique quality, and Valdis
has brought this von Trierien technique to FORRESTER with a subtle pizzaz.
The basketball sequences are brilliant, and he did an incredible job working
with Van Sant's unusual dialogue coverage in making a very sharp,
refreshing, and upbeat sentimental drama.
It's obvious that Van Sant's friendship with Harmony Korine has influenced
his films tremendously--and in a good way!
FORRESTER could garnish many an Academy Award nomination--both for technical
and dramatic categories--ala GWH.
As for the story, it's a spin on the typical mentor/student relationship,
but with authentic and smart urban dialogue that helps the film stand apart
from your typical Hollywood fare.
A 16 year old African-American student named Jamal is underachieving at his
urban high-school; pulling a 'C' average but scoring in the top-half
percentile on standardized tests. Like Will Hunting, Jamal has a gift: he
is a literary genius.
Through a series of intelligently written circumstances, Jamal meets William
Forrester, a Salinger-esque recluse author who comes to mentor Jamal as he
makes his transition from urban high-school to a pseudo-Manhattan private
school.
And if you've seen the crappy trailer, you know the rest...
Things I liked:
1. Every performance! Van Sant obviously has a knack for harnessing
authenticity from his actors--and FORRESTER is no exception. In particular,
I enjoyed newcomer Robert Brown as Jamal. There is one scene involving he
and Anna Paquin (as a daughter of a Board Member at Jamal's new private
school) in which Jamal shows Paquin's character how to dribble the
basketball and drive the lane. Their interaction is very delicate and
subtle--quite an intimate moment and handled well by the writer (Mike Rich)
and Van Sant. Also, Busta Rhymes--worry not--is really sharp (and funny!)
as Jamal's brother.
2. DP work and editing: I've already talked about this before, but the
look of the film is unlike any mainstream film you've seen in a while
(similar to the look of THREE KINGS), and the pacing, the way the basketball
scenes are cut, the seamless transitions between different points in the
narrative are amazing.
3. The musical score, a combination of original scored music and old Miles
Davis' tracks (a bit mellower than Bitches Brew, though), give a dark,
mysterious, and even TAXI DRIVEResque feel to the Bronx.
Things I didn't like:
1. The story is a bit simple, and I would like to see Van Sant work on
something moreso quirky, along the lines of MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO. But
that's simply a personal qualm.
2. The final 20 minutes are a bit of a let down, that is, I don't think
they have been fully realized and cut properly in the editing room.
The film is a very quiet and personable film. A lot of time focuses on the
relationships between two characters at a time, and how Jamal's distinct
friendships influence who he is and how he behaves/percieves the world.
There are many suspenseful moments (a championship basketball game, writing
competition), but Van Sant refuses to milk them for sentimentality, and
instead allows the film to be what it is--no need for melodrama.
That my friends, is something to admire: an Oscar Season film that doesn't
patronize the Academy!
I found out that the film is STILL being fooled with in the editing bays,
and hopefully it will be tidied up and shortened. Otherwise, no qualms, and
in a year of mediocrity, this lovely tale of friendship and living up to
your potential is one of the best films of the year.
Thanks dudes,
Stig Helmer
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+ Expand All
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Nov 22, 2000 5:25:02 AM CST
Oh God, it's edited by the bloke behind Julien Donkey-Boy
by marty mcsuperfly
Festen was a top film, but America's answer to the Dogme movement, Harmony Korine, is without doubt the world's most over-rated writer/director. Gummo was virtually unwatchable and Julien Donkey Boy is the same. I give him two more films before financiers realise he's a one trick pony with a pretty crap trick at that.
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What was life-affirming about his Psycho remake?
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First a math movie and now a movie about literature. What's next? ``Quills!!!'' - the tender story of a young caligraphist who struggles to break out of the poverty of the Middle Ages with the help of a kindly old monk. Or better yet ``Hot Lunch'' - a 13 year old boy struggles with whether he should ask out the cute girl in his history class to the Jr High dance or if he should put a frog in her locker. Don't miss the touching meatloaf sandwhich scene.
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Van Sant and life affirming should not be used in the same sentence. Although Julien Donkey Boy was a very odd piece, the final shot of him under the covers is hauntingly beautiful.
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Nov 22, 2000 8:11:56 AM CST
So, a shot-for-shot remake of Psycho is a "life-affirming" film?
by lance rock
Huh. Looked like a well-intentioned but bland experiment to me.
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Why qualify? It *is* unwatchable! The story of what happens when a wannabe auteur sees DAYS OF HEAVEN one too many times, and believes himself to be on a creative par with Terrence Malick.
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Nov 22, 2000 12:39:47 PM CST
I'm still just waiting for the Gus Van Sant shot-by-shot remake
by roguewriter
Talk about life-affirming. =) Still and all, glad to see Gus back in business. Put this one on the short list, people, and get it onto the screens!
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I cant help but notice that Stig Helmer sounds alittle like a charcter from a Von Trier film,
probably the kinda guy who watches Dancer in the dark a million times
and works in a movie theatre 24-7.
I saw Forrester too and this reviewer doesnt emphasize Connery's performance enough..my bet with the academy being as trite as it is , connery will nab an oscar nom. at least though for my money John cusack is still leading the way with "high fidelity".
Maybe Helmer, should quit his day job and go join a band in Sacremento!Cant wait for numb-athon!!! -
Nov 22, 2000 7:15:06 PM CST
ahhhhhhh, a talkback that's not about a fucking comic book or a
by heywoodfloyd
i would have given much more of a shit about this about this flick ten years ago, during the days of drugstore cowboy and my own private idaho. van sant has been in a steady decline ever since even cowgirls get the blues, which was truly awful (tom robbins makes grisham look like fucking dostoevsky). to die for was passable, but good will hunting was fluff, and psycho......well, we all know what happened there. i never heard that he was only going to do "life-affirming movies" since river phoenix died, and that is admirable, but does life-affirming necessarily have to also mean overly commercialized melodrama? and where does psycho fit into this schtick, anyway? i'll still go--maybe the cinematography and the performances that the reviewer was so hot for will save it, and maybe van sant will reverse the direction his career has been heading of late, because as bad as he's been the last few times out, i still never put a hat on a bed. ps-the only thing unique about julien donkey boy was how fucking bad it was. harmony korine is a precocious, camera shy, poseur who needs a good shampooing. he is a spoiled brat theoretician whose only point is to show his audience how fucking bad a film can be--he's a joke, and deep down, he knows it, too. if he had any influence on this film, it will definetely suck, and if he had any influence on van sant, a director who's arguably got two classics under his belt, then the world is most definetely drawing to an end.
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Dude, Harmony WROTE Van Sant's next feature.
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I know I can check at IMDb, but yelling at a complete stranger is more fun.
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Nov 22, 2000 9:20:54 PM CST
IF GUS WANT'S TO MAKE LIFE AFFIRMING FILMS WHY DID HE DO THE SHO
by wee willie
DRINK MILK
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Nov 23, 2000 11:02:33 AM CST
A FILM STARRING SEAN CONNERY AND NO MENTION OF CONNERY? THIS 'RE
by splinter
My arse you saw it pal - there is no way in the world someone would review a film with Sean Connery in it and not mention him....BUUUULLLLLSHITTTT!
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...a Hack. A couple of folks have mentioned the "Psycho" abomination but I wonder if "To Die For" tops Stig's feel good list. Van Sant's a no talent, saccharine peddler and while Helmer's not a studio plant, he is a film school rube. I agree w/ him about the DP though, Savides has the talent and vision to be a giant but he needs to do something that people are going to see. I look forward to this movie but I don't expect very much from it. Van Sant is the indie Zalman King.
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i didn't even catch that--i think you're right.
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I went through this whole sign up process just to let Stig Helmer know how much I liked his review. I just saw FF after avoiding it due to the sappy-story/predictable message trailer...tho I had missed that it was by Gus Van Sant..so I went to go see it just for that reason. And EXACTLY..to the T...as Stig very eloquently, knowledgeably, and astutely, sensitively even....pointed out...VISUALLY this film is a great piece of work....For such a predictable storyline...yawn+...it is a great piece of filmmaking and storytelling...Poetic, feeling, fresh...Great truthful visuals...wonderful editing...and some truthful acting..nice moments...I came away feeling really good...Then went to go see S. Penn's 'The Pledge' and it was really interesting to compare them...Great opening shots in the film of Nicholson's face and flying black birds....Anyway...Thank you for the Intelligence Sig Helmer!!!!! Harry...keep him on the payroll!!!!!
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