Four decades ago, William Forrester won a Pulitzer Prize for his classic novel. That was the last time the world heard of him. Now a recluse in Manhattan, his passion for literature is awakened by Jamal a 16-year old basketball player recruited by an elite Manhattan prep school for his brilliance both on and off the court. When Jamal sneaks into Forrester's apartment, he accidentally leaves behind his backpack, full of his precious writings. Finding these, Forrester is opened to a new world, one that gives him a reason to look past his prejudice and a reason to emerge from his self-imposed solitude. Forrester becomes his first fan and opens Jamal's eyes to a world of academia beyond the South Bronx apartment he shares with his adoring mother and brother. Though at times contentious, Forrester befriends Jamal and becomes his mentor. They spend many hours in Forrester's dusty apartment laughing, learning, debating and dedicating themselves to the love that binds them - the written word. Forrester convinces Jamal to enter the school's writing contest, but their friendship and loyalty is tested when Jamal must face an accusation of plagiarism - alone.
Production Columbia Pictures Corporation; Fountainbridge Films [gb]; Laurence Mark Productions;
Cast Names Sean Connery; Rob Brown; F. Murray Abraham; Anna Paquin; Busta Rhymes; April Grace; Michael Pitt; Michael Nouri; Richard Easton; Glenn Fitzgerald; Lil' Zane; Stephanie Berry; Fly Williams III; Damany Mathis; Damion Lee; Tom Kearns; Matthew Noah Word; Charles Bernstein; Matt Malloy; Matt Damon; Jimmy Bobbitt; Capital Jay; James T. Williams II; Cassandra Kubinski; Sophia Wu; Gerry Rosenthal; Tim Hall; Tom Mullica; David Madison; Joey Buttafuoco; Jaime McCaig; William Modeste; Daniel Rodriguez; Samuel Tyson; Vince Giordano; Gregory Singer; Dean Pratt; Kerry MacKillop; Harvey Tibbs; Jack Stuckey;
Box Office USD 51,768,623
Release Date 2000-12-19
Genres Drama;
MPAA Rating [?] Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some sexual references.