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.
Directed by Gus Van Sant
dying and death
high school
friendship
scholarship
sibling relationship
based on novel or book
unsociability
becoming an adult
upper class
scotland
poetry
literature
professor
mentor
intellectually gifted
plagiarism
literature competition
private school
manuscript
seclusion
pulitzer prize
basketball
father figure
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.5 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Sean Connery
William Forrester
Rob Brown
Jamal Wallace
F. Murray Abraham
Robert Crawford
Anna Paquin
Claire Spence
Damany Mathis
Kenzo
Busta Rhymes
Terrell Wallace
April Grace
Ms. Joyce
Michael Pitt
John Coleridge
Michael Nouri
Dr. Spence
Richard Easton
Prof. Matthews
Glenn Fitzgerald
Massie
Lil' Zane
Damon
Crew
Gus Van Sant
Director
Mike Rich
Writer
Harris Savides
Director of Photography
Sean Connery
Producer
Laurence Mark
Producer
Jonathan King
Executive Producer
Francine Maisler
Casting
Bernard Telsey
Casting
Ann Roth
Costume Design
Carolyn A. Loucks
Set Decoration
Popular Reviews
95 reviews
Lauren
7.0★ · 10/01/25
Best english class movie ever
Best english class movie ever
Ian Helms
7.0★ · 09/20/25
Van Sant is really into movies about unlikely geniuses providing their worth and gaining father figures along the way.
Van Sant is really into movies about unlikely geniuses providing their worth and gaining father figures along the way.
audrey mae
6.0★ · 09/08/25
buns
buns
Joanna
10.0★ · 09/01/25
I srarted to watch this because lil zane was in it turned out to be one of the most meaningful movies i ever watched.
I srarted to watch this because lil zane was in it turned out to be one of the most meaningful movies i ever watched.