Finding Forrester has to be one of the best movies of this year. Sean Connery and newcomer Rob Brown supply a chemistry that cannot be duplicated in any other movie this season.

This is truly a great movie, one that makes the audience feel and care about the characters. The more than two and a half-hour running time flew by effortlessly and left me wanting more.

Jamal Wallace, played by Brown, is a high school basketball player with a secret — he is a literary genius. William Forrester, played by Connery, is a Pulitzer Prize winner who quit writing after his only novel and became a recluse. The two do not come face to face until neighborhood tales of murder and intrigue bring Wallace to the apartment of the infamous "face in the window."

Wallace tries to swipe a souvenir, but in a moment of panic leaves his backpack full of his journals, whereupon Forrester takes it upon himself to proofread and critique the writing. Wallace keeps returning for guidance and a friendship begins to form as he begins to attend a new prep school where he receives a basketball scholarship and has to overcome several obstacles.

F. Murray Abraham plays the part of Professor Henry Crawford, who is one of the many obstacles that Wallace has to overcome. Crawford is a former contemporary of Forrester and perhaps a bit jealous of his success.

Another noteworthy cast member of the film is Oscar-winner Anna Paquin who plays the part of Claire Spence, Wallace's first friend at prep school. Although her part is small, she portrays the daddy's-little-girl, upper-class-socialite-in-training part ex-tremely well in a short amount of time.

Gus Van Sant, director of Good Will Hunting, masterfully brought this picture and the characters to life. Parallels might be made to his previous film, but the differences are vast enough that Finding Forrester will be able to stand on its own as a brilliant movie.

What makes this movie so wonderful is its simplicity. There are no dazzling special effects or high-speed car chases needed to keep the audience interested — they aren't necessary. The writing is simple, witty and easy for anyone to relate to.

The issues that are covered in this film are relevant to today's youth. Many can identify with the racial issues that arise and compare it to their own lives.

The essence of this movie is its realness. Everyone can relate to the young black youth trying to overcome the tribulations that plague him in his lower class community. Older audiences may be able to relate to the recluse author, who has become afflicted with a fear of the outside world.

Many will be able to relate to the quick and witty comedic elements of the script, which makes the powerful plot not so overwhelming.

The only part of this movie that could use some revising is the ending. I don't want to give the ending away to those who haven't seen it, but at a particular point the movie could have ended and the movie would not have been the worse for wear.

However, the director decided to add about 10 more minutes that I don't feel are necessary. Still, they didn't take away from it too much.

I would strongly recommend this film to anyone. It is not your typical "feel good movie of the year," although it does contain some of those aspects. You will walk away loving this movie just because it is fabulous and can mean something to all of us.