Finding Forrester (2000) Edit

A friend who had the integrity to protect me...

A little closer than I thought.

A little more early morning reticence than usual.

A lot of falls with those teams.

A lot of good that's doing.

A lot of writers know the rules about writing...

A promise which he kept.

A song about new seasons, new life.

About anything.

Actual classroom work...

After the game.

After the war, they couldn't make plane engines anymore.

Ah, yes, this thing at school.

Ain't milk white?

All he ever talks about is basketball.

All of it?

All of them here...

All right, Jamal. Be careful.

All right, Mr. Fly?

All right, now try and move left.

All right, this is the first step tonight, guys.

All right! What the hell you working there, man?

All right?

All right.

All right. Yo, Fly.

All this "legend" bullshit.

All we ask is you come out for a few days, take a look, think it over.

Amen.

An essay titled "Baseball's Best Year"...

An expression is worth a thousand words.

And actually stay in Crawford's class?

And after a while he tells me he wants...

And all the publishers rejected it, which was the right decision.

And as chairman of the faculty board...

And by the way, why don't you go tell Camry boy over there...

And do you know why, Mr. Coleridge?

And Dr. Spence is chair of the trustees board.

And every kid there knows it.

And he's always writing in his notebooks.

And I do go outside.

And I have your latest check from accounting.

And I was the only one still alive.

And if I ask you to keep helping me with my writing?

And if they wished to bid on it....

And if we were lucky, the fall.

And instead of writing another one...

And maybe it was unfair of us to ask you to do it.

And my dad got tired of trying.

And now it was on the other side of her door, dog.

And of that 30, there isn't one person who knows the author of that passage.

And should we have the wisdom to open our door to this new family...

And that is a question your present school cannot answer for you.

And that may be what the writer wants.

And that's when BMW gave some serious thought to making cars.

And what "thing" are we talking about now?

And what is the risk?

And when you begin to feel your own words...

And while I waited until the winter of my life...

And why would it be helpful for Mr. Coleridge to say his name?

And yes...

And you believe that?

And you know why it sounds old, Mr. Coleridge?

And you'd let him do that?

And you're black!

Any luck?

Anyone in particular?

Anyone read it?

Are we now planning to make these visits a habit?

Are we now planning to make these visits a habit?

Are you kidding me? Stop playing with me.

As director of this competition, I have final say in this matter.

As I recall...

At least a half hour before the sun goes down.

At the bar in London.

Barely read it in private.

Basketball is where he gets his acceptance.

Be careful. Stay safe, all right?

Be still.

Be sure to write.

Because I want you to read more of my stuff.

Because if it is...

Because it is old. More than 200 years old.

Because it's your birthday, man.

Because now the tapping made its way down the stairs somehow.

Because that's who wrote it.

Because there's a question in your writing...

Because they want to get laid.

Because...

Been here as long as most of the buildings.

Before she can even hang up, the phone disconnected.

Before these assholes take something...

Bet you ain't, man.

Bookstores don't usually miss this stuff.

Building up a collection of those things?

But for the most part, the rule on "and" or "but"...

But he thought he knew me.

But I don't know.

But I have to warn you, the board has a history of taking these matters...

But if you let me run you down with this racist bullshit...

But it's just like college, right?

But perhaps in your case just two.

But that's a different yelling...

But that's what I see.

But this isn't the right place for you anymore.

But this...

But we're the legal representation for William Forrester.

But when I read these words...

But you just got here.

But you knew there wouldn't be a second book.

But...

Careful? Careful about what?

Carl, he's a basketball player...

Classics.

Coach is right. A little defense. Let's go.

Come on in, Jamal.

Come on now.

Come on, let's get you out of here.

Come on, man, I know you in there.

Come on, man, yo. You know that girl is a crack ho.

Come on, man.

Come on, what's wrong with y'all? Y'all want to play ball?

Come on, yo.

Come on!

Come on.

Come on.

Come on. Come on.

Come on. Come on. Closer.

Come on. We're gonna make these.

Come right in.

Crawford cannot understand...

Crawford?

D, I believe you, dog.

Daddy.

Damn, man. Come on, man!

Damn, this thing's rickety.

Damn.

Damn.

Dead tonight.

Dear Jamal:

Defense! Defense!

Dickens.

Dickheads, he wasn't asleep.

Did you get on the waiting list?

Did you have something to contribute, Mr. Wallace?

Did you see this?

Didn't you?

Do any of the words strike you as unusual?

Do it.

Do you know what people are most afraid of?

Do you know what the absolute best moment is?

Do you think our vaudeville act today will merit the National Enquirer?.

Do you want to get outside for a while?

Do you wish to do that?

Don't be going off on this.

Don't bring up the rap. Eat your food.

Don't ever embarrass me in front of my class.

Don't hold that bus up too long. Nice meeting you, Fly.

Don't say nothing about them test scores.

Don't worry about answering any questions or anything.

Don't worry, I'll clean it.

Don't worry, I'm your brother, dog.

Don't.

Dribble.

Dribble. Okay. Like this?

Either you've been blessed with a rare gift that has suddenly kicked in...

Eleven.

Essentials?

Even though it's taught in many schools by many teachers.

Ever since his father left.

Everything tilts towards your mama.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Feel free to view this as the appropriate time for a response.

Feel that?

Fine.

For a while. He was born there, and I was born there too.

For all we know it was the only one he chose to write.

Fortunately, you have decades to figure that out.

Forty eight.

Forty nine.

Foul's blue team, 22. Hit, two. Go line up, guys.

From the cover this look like the funny man school to me.

Get out!

Get out.

Get that goofy look off your face.

Get that goofy look off your face.

Give him the ball again.

Given your previous education and your background...

Go ahead and what?

Go ahead and what?

Go ahead.

Go handle that. Let's go, Fly! Let's go!

Go!

God, he's such a good kid, man. Then he gets to come back to this shit.

Gold.

Good day, Mr. Wallace.

Good to see you. Have a seat here.

Good, because I got one more place. It's quiet and it's on the way home.

Good.

Goodbye.

Got nothing for me, man.

Got you.

Gotta know the rules to play.

Graduation was a little rough on last year's team, that's all.

Ground level.

Guess I don't have any more soup questions.

Hartwell, a little defense would be real nice.

Hartwell's just a rich kid...

Have you read this?

Have you some other explanation?

He didn't tell you?

He got on the board and changed the rules.

He had good scores coming in.

He keeps that one cracked sometime.

He looks very happy with himself, that coyote. Look, ears down...

He must have come in after we left.

He wanted you to have...

He was from this private school.

He wrote a book a few years after mine.

He's going back to the school this morning.

He's probably still sleeping in the crib.

He's the one who introduced Watson to Holmes.

Head's up.

Here, Johnny, inside!

Here, man, sit over here, son.

Here, take your apple too.

Here.

Here...

Here's how you do it.

Hey, hey, gentlemen!

Hey, I thought you wanted to get up by 7:30.

Hey, Jamal, you plan on doing that every night?

Hey, Jamal!

Hey, William!h

Hey...

Hi, honey.

Hi, I'm Claire Spence.

Hip hop, man.

His name is Jamal Wallace.

Hold on to these.

Hold on.

Hold on. They got programs. Let me get a program.

Hold on. What up, J? Where you been, man?

House that Ruth built.

How about 5000 words on why you'll stay the fuck out of my home?!

How come ours never gets anything on it?

How did it feel having him tell you what you can't do?

How did you end up going to Mailor?

How do I do that?

How do you play...? I'll show you one right here.

How do you say you know this guy again?

How is he?

How nice of you to join us.

How should I put it?

How you doing, Mr. Johannsen?

How you know all that?

How you know that?

How's that?

I ain't seen nothing change.

I am the supervisor of all the parking attendants.

I can't accept it. It must've cost a fortune.

I couldn't handle that load. Not at this school.

I dare you to go up there, right?

I didn't keep track of the time.

I didn't say anything.

I didn't say anything.

I didn't say those two words.

I don't know. New people, new school.

I don't need another person telling me what they think it is.

I feel it.

I feel when you try and go right. So you can't go there neither.

I figure with all the games you watched...

I figure you were writing about how life never works out.

I figured that.

I find that remarkable. Don't you, Mr. Coleridge?

I forgot what the question was..

I go on probation unless I write a letter saying I was wrong.

I got a better chance of Michael Jordan cleaning it.

I got by you, man.

I got four words for you: Bos ton Red Sox. All right?

I got Michael Jordan's name written in dirt all over my floor.

I got you.

I gotta check up on something.

I gotta go to this dude house. They do it every year.

I guess.

I had a chance this morning...

I have a homeland I haven't seen for too long.

I have been a teacher for more than 30 years.

I heard he killed somebody. That's why he stays inside.

I helped him to find his own words...

I just came to drop off that thing you asked me for.

I just can't seem to get past the first 10 pages.

I just said that he should say his name.

I just stood there...

I know it's difficult handling classes with the time you spend on the court.

I know where you'll go because I can feel where you're gonna move.

I know, but look at this.

I know, but...

I know, I know. I've seen it.

I know!

I learned a few things along the way...

I like them big.

I like them big. You got a problem?

I liked it very much.

I live in this place. Come on.

I missed what you said.

I need some help with this thing at school.

I need some help!

I promise.

I promised my mother I would help him get through it all.

I read the Times for dinner.

I read the whole thing. It's not bad. Especially...

I said I'm not writing anything.

I said, "No, thanks."

I said, get it past the line.

I see him reading all these books all the time.

I seen Duke smack you up.

I should tell you everything about me?

I sometimes come here in the morning.

I talked to the board members and to Crawford...

I think I'm gonna pull the call, yo.

I think so.

I thought it'd be the same when he came back...

I thought you liked it.

I told them we catch up. Friday night, kid.

I told you about me.

I took care of your bills, and I put all the copies in this one.

I took the bell out 20 years ago.

I turned it in.

I turned it in. I had to show them something.

I want to hear about the neighborhood...

I was messing with you, man. It was a joke.

I wasn't gonna say that.

I work at a parking lot. And I ain't no regular parking attendant.

I wrote those papers, man.

I'd like you to write it there.

I'd say that Mr. Forrester...

I'll schedule some time for you to come to my office.

I'll see you around.

I'll see you later.

I'll see you on Monday, okay?

I'll sing it for you now.

I'll tell you that when I get my 5000 words back.

I'm 16.

I'm aware of how serious it is.

I'm done with this shit.

I'm here to present you with an offer. We forget about the whole thing.

I'm messing with you, man.

I'm not playing this game, man.

I'm not sure.

I'm not talking about the damn bag.

I'm not writing anything, man.

I'm sorry, sir, I don't...

I'm sorry?

I'm sorry.

I'm still "Dr. Spence's daughter.".

I'm taking your spot?

I'm that one.

I'm thinking you'll make your own decisions from here on.

I'm thinking you're about to say something more like, "I always could."

I'm tired of all these lessons every time I come here.

I'm trying, man.

I'm with the Mailor School in Manhattan.

I'm writing. Like you'll be...

I've got four bags today. I can leave them.

I've got that thing with your teacher and I'm working late.

If a two comma kid wrote the papers, would he use this "background" shit?

If I ask you not to say anything to anybody...

If I see this one more time, you'll shoot fouls to see who runs today.

If they score, we don't call a time out.

If we can turn to page... You may be seated, Mr. Coleridge.

If you say what you really want to say...

If you use a conjunction at the start of a sentence...

If you're thinking of a shower, the hot water's taking a few minutes.

In 1845, Poe wrote his most famous piece, "The Raven"...

In contrast to, "Do I ever go outside?"

In looking at this, what, if any, conclusions might we be able to draw?

In public? Hell, no.

In Scotland."

In some cultures, it's considered good luck to wear something inside out.

In the meantime, if there's anything you wish to talk about...

Interesting what happens when the resources aren't close at hand.

Is but to love and fly and sing."

Is it still light outside?

Is that understood? Is that understood?

Is there a chance you might sit down?

Is there a problem?

Is this supposed to be another damn lesson?

Is this too much? Pressure.

Isn't there?

It ain't looking good, Ma. It ain't looking good.

It cost me $13, so I guess you made your point.

It does sound old, doesn't it?

It had nothing to do with you being black.

It had to do with me finding out just how much bullshit you'd put up with.

It smacks of something.

It was just this dare thing me and my boys do.

It was Stamford.

It was very nice meeting you, Jamal.

It was very nice talking with you. Remember, anything you need...

It was written by a writer you have never heard of.

It's a distraction. It could give the piece a run on feeling.

It's a firm rule.

It's an early printing.

It's an old man looking out a window, man.

It's funny, though.

It's just a question.

It's like when I'm with all three of your mothers.

It's Mark Twain. Come on, Professor Crawford...

It's nighttime, man.

It's not a first printing or anything, but...

It's not?

It's okay.

It's on the Sherlock Holmes books.

It's remarkable that I'm black?

It's remarkable work..

It's still showing up outstanding.

It's the ones that do that run into trouble.

It's when you've finished your first draft...

J, break him up, man.

Jamal Wallace did.

Jamal Wallace is a friend of yours?

Jamal Wallace?

Jamal, either you happen to have...

Jamal, he wrote that for you.

Jamal, how about it?

Jamal, I realize that if I give you enough time...

Jamal, I'm not asking for some kind of prenuptial agreement here.

Jamal, I'm writing all this down.

Jamal, it's not a difficult choice.

Jamal, Mailor Callow is not only the best prep school in the city...

Jamal, Mrs. Wallace, my name's David Bradley.

Jamal, these are your words?

Jamal, this is crazy.

Jamal, we know leaving for another school...

Jamal, would you stop bouncing that damn ball in the house?

Jamal, your test scores...

Jamal!

Jamal! I know you can hear me, boy.

Jamal?

Jamal.

Jamal...

Jesus!

Just can't watch the eyes this time.

Just check it, all right?

Just keep in mind that bitterly disappointed teachers...

Just like a ghost, like the ones that be in our science books.

Just like I assume he's an asshole.

Just me, the aspiring...

Just say your name, man.

Just so you know, you handled that the right way.

Keep it. You gotta bring something out.

Kenzo, how old are you again?

Kids don't care about what he puts down on paper.

Kipling.

Ladies and gentlemen...

Last night!

Leave the trash talking back home, all right?

Leaving?

Let him sleep.

Let me teach you something. Now watch the eyes.

Let someone else read it.

Let's go, D up.

Let's go! Between the yellow lines! Let's go!

Let's go.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Let's match up. Wallace, you take Hartwell.

Like money or something?

Like what?

Like, I don't know...

Listen, I don't think that's gonna work.

Listen, man, all I know is that The Window's bad news.

Listen, throw it at your mama.

Listen, you 5 foot nothing.

Look at me, though.

Look at your face! Did your mom do that to you?

Look, look. You looking for tickets, little bro?

Looks like it might be a while.

Lucy Chapman around?

Ma, look, I rap, I get busy. You know I got my rap thing going.

Made this one engine, the 801, World War II...

Mailor was originally an all boys school.

Make sure you keep one thing in mind:

Man, fuck you, William!y

Man, shut up. Go to class or something.

Man, you should have told me.

Many aspiring authors talk about writing the great 20th century novel...

Marker.

Maybe so.

Maybe the bookstore missed it.

Maybe you both get what you want.

Meaning, you still have a few months of procrastination.

Messing with my stuff, man.

Might save you some time after everybody's done in there.

Moms knows when the game ends, so take your ass straight home.

Most of you are too young...

Mr. Bradley.

Mr. Bradley...

Mr. Coleridge.

Mr. Coleridge...

Mr. Forrester was unavailable for comment."

Mr. Forrester, I'm sure I speak on behalf of everyone here...

Mr. Forrester?

Mr. Forrester...

Mr. Forrester...

Mr. Johannsen?

Mr. Wallace, it is standard policy with us to ask students...

Mr. Wallace, you are excused from next week's board meeting.

Mr. Wallace!

Mr. Wallace. Please.

Mr. Wallace...

Mrs. Wallace, about 40 of our students have gone on to play college ball.

Mrs. Wallace, Jamal maintains a C average.

Mrs. Wallace, Jamal. When we got your recent test scores...

Must be hard.

My brother and I, we were here for every game.

My court, man. My court.

My dad got it for me.

My mom got tired of waiting for my dad to get himself clean.

Never start a sentence with a conjunction.

Next year, your academic schedule will be less demanding.

Nice handle.

No apology needed.

No conventional greetings today?.

No exceptions.

No more than you challenged Coleridge.

No problem, man.

No problem. So, what school are you from?

No, but it's like praying.

No, I don't.

No, I just keep them to impress all my visitors.

No, I never read it.

No, I'm just thinking.

No, no, she was nice.

No, not exactly.

No, what's hard is growing up in a place...

No.

No.

No. But he see us, man.

No. No more lessons.

No. No thinking.

No. No, I never did.

Nobody like that comes around here, man.

Not as outstanding as it once was.

Not exactly a soup question, is it?

Not exactly a soup question, is it?

Not if I'm lucky.

Not many.

Not this good.

Not to think.

Not where you'll be...

Nothing.

Now go finish up what you came here to do.

Now that question was a good one.

Now, about this...

Now, it was the neighborhood that changed. Not me.

Now, what makes Jamal's case unusual are his test results.

Now.

Of course you are.

Of course your work will give you ample opportunity to respond.

Of friendship.

Oh, Christ. Not that self pity, father bullshit.

Oh, Claire.

Oh, God.

Oh, Jamal.

Oh, look. Jamal Wallace, here to pay us a visit.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, no, no.

Oh, no. I'm a lawyer here in town.

Oh, really? You had to read a book to figure that out?

Oh, so that's why Crawford's book went away.

Oh, you're in that place where you can't even hear me.

Oh.

Oh. Well, thank you, anyway.

Okay, I need those essays by next Tuesday.

Okay, let's go! Throw it to Jamal!

Okay, let's push it, guys. Come on.

Okay, you got them now. Let's go.

Okay?

Okay? Hartwell or Wallace. Let's go, guys.

Okay.

On his first try.

One hand to give, one hand to receive. As we eat together in unity...

One shot.

One week it's $50, one week it's $100.

One, two, three, Mailor!

One.

Only about a dozen times.

Or did you miss them?

Or pops is yelling because the kid's making noise.

Other endeavors?

Our place got these noisy neighbors.

People have been talking about it for years.

People love that book, man.

People wonder if you killed somebody.

Perhaps the challenge should have been directed elsewhere.

Perhaps we should back into this.

Perhaps you could humor us with a guess.

Perhaps you'll find out.

Perhaps your skills...

Pick it up!h

Play ball, baby. Stop crying.

Play him tough, play him tough.

Please return the pen when you're finished.

Please.

Please.

Probably because your mother was brought up in a house...

Professor Crawford...

Professor Crawford...

Published in The New Yorker and written by...

Quiet, please.

Quiet! Quiet, please!

Quiet.

Really? Women will sleep with you if you write a book?

Reasons why some of us live and why some of us don't.

Relax.

Remarkable.

Remember Shurrita?

Right?

Robert Crawford?

Robert, have you considered that he might just be that good?

Robert, sit down.

Robert.

Rules was, you go outside, you stay away from The Window's place.

Saying she heard this tapping from upstairs by The Window's place.

Says the guy having trouble after the war is really you.

Scotland, for God's sake.

Seasons change, young man.

See, I'm still here.

Seems like a different kind of dude.r

Serious enough I usually end up here, getting lunch on my books.

She be screaming like...

She could tell there was some type of knife he was tapping with.

She started you young.

She tells me how much my book meant to her.

She used to live below The Window?

Show a little respect for the author, huh?

Shut up, man.

Since the board doesn't meet till next week...

Sit.

Sixteen!

Sixteen.

So Crawford wrote a book about four authors who did know.

So he assumes you can't.

So how many people do say something?

So I caught up with him this one night...

So I made a polite telephone call...

So it's a good thing you're here.

So let me guess. So you'd go up in there, right?

So my father did what anyone in his position would do.

So they kick you out if you know something here?

So they kick you out if you know something here?

So this friend Fly. How long have you known each other?

So we had a few more.

So you're gonna have to take care of yourself for dinner, okay?

So, what am I supposed to do?

So...

So...

Some of our guests are leaving.

Some of the best writers have ignored that rule for years...

Some symbolism shit for the problems you were having with everybody.

Someone I once knew wrote that we walk away from our dreams...

Sometimes the simple rhythm of typing...

Sorry about that.

Sorry for losing you back there.

Soufflé, baby!

Sounds like some kind of marmalade.

Steve Sanderson.?

Stir the soup before it foams up.

Stop playing. You got beat like Tina in school one day.

Stop. Stop. See?

Take the ball, man, okay?

Take your goddamn hand off my door!

Taking nothing. Come on.

Tap...

Tap...

Tell her, Jamal. My choice is hot, right?

Tell me about the test. What's up with that?

Ten seconds. Let's go, the other way.

Ten, gold. Offensive! That way.

Teresa told me. She told me.

Terrell, eat your food.

Test on what?

Test scores, impressive.

Thank you, professor.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thanks for coming on such short notice.

Thanks for the history lesson.

That big?

That comes later.

That doesn't change anything.

That has no bearing...

That Methuselah's like a thousand years old. That's all they ever do.

That night at my home, after the game...

That seat open?

That will serve therefore...

That, and wondering why you been in here so long.

That's a foul, man.

That's a serious accusation, Robert.

That's all it is.

That's all right, man.

That's all you had to say, man.

That's game.

That's how we play down here.

That's James Lowell, man.

That's kind of the way you said it.

That's long enough to know that integrity counts for something.

That's my paper.

That's not part of the poem.

That's really, really... great.

That's right.

That's right. Select again.

That's Robert Crawford.

That's the only damn reason.

That's where this comes from.

That's you, isn't it?

The 5000 words on why you wanted me to stay out of your place.

The ball goes to Hartwell or Wallace.

The boy does well in my class.

The first key to writing...

The key to a woman's heart...

The man in the car?

The next assignment is due in two weeks.

The object of a question is to obtain information that matters to us...

The opening bud to heaven convey'd..."

The other night was...

The phone company wonders if you still want service...

The Pulitzer.

The quality of your words...

The real bullshit is me taking it on this one...

The seams are on the inside. Hurt the toes.

The speed in your progress....

The state education department requires all kids to take them.

The students have to read in front of everybody.

The title is still mine, isn't it?

The Yanks and Sox tickets, they damn near been sold out almost a month.

Their kid's always yelling because he's only a year old.

Then I won't ask.

Then I'm sure the board will consider that when reviewing your scholarship.

Then mom's yelling...

Then start signing checks, solving everybody else's problems.

Then you can begin your panic driven quest back to Manhattan.

There are no reasons!

There's a team obsessed with death. Always get their ass kicked.