'FORRESTER' A WORTHWHILE FILM.

Byline: Glenn Whipp Staff Writer

``Finding Forrester'' more or less combines ``Scent of a Woman'' and ``Good Will Hunting'' into a hybrid remake, but the film is so finely crafted that you don't really care that you've seen it (and not all that long ago) before.

Granted, you know every plot development almost by the time you're comfortable in your seat. Granted, there are far too many close-ups of F. Murray Abraham flaring his nose. But the predictability and overacting are offset by the pleasure of watching Sean Connery sum up his career in a consummate, golden performance.

The film offers other rewards as well. As derivative as newcomer Mike Rich's script is (and, God bless him, maybe it didn't start out that way), it stands as the latest example of Hollywood's deft handling of interracial relationships. ``Finding Forrester'' tells the story of an old writer (Connery) mentoring a young, African-American teen (impressive newcomer Rob Brown) without a whiff of condescension. Likewise, the film smartly employs an interracial teen romance in an understated, winning fashion.

Connery plays William Forrester, a reclusive literary lion living in the South Bronx. Teens who play basketball near Forrester's apartment call him ``The Window'' because of his habit of watching the world from the safety of his dwelling. On a dare, one of the teens, Jamal (Brown), sneaks into Forrester's apartment to see what the old man is all about. However, he makes the mistake of leaving his backpack behind, an error Forrester trumpets by hanging the offending item in his window for all to see.

When Jamal retrieves his backpack, he discovers a surprise. Forrester has gone through all his journals and notebooks and edited them, leaving behind comments written in red ink. Rather than be upset, Jamal is intrigued. He's an underachiever at school, but his test scores and reading interests (Kierkegaard is a favorite) indicate a fantastic intelligence. Soon, Jamal is bringing his writing around regularly, and the eccentric Forrester begins to find himself welcoming the intrusions into his heretofore beloved solitude.

``Finding Forrester'' follows the familiar patterns of the mentor movie in which a flawed old-timer teaches (and, just as importantly, learns from) a talented, troubled youth. The fact that it's directed by Gus Van Sant, who made the similarly themed ``Good Will Hunting'' just three years ago, makes the familiar conventions seem all the more obvious. Van Sant seems to know this as much as anyone, going so far to insert Good Will himself (Matt Damon) into the movie in a sly, late cameo.

But Van Sant brings his considerable skills to the film, too, giving the movie a stylish restraint that keeps the proceedings from venturing into ``Patch Adams'' country. Brown's performance is perfectly controlled, and Anna Paquin is lovely playing a smart prep girl who becomes Jamal's friend and confidant.

Connery is the main draw, though, and any fan of this great actor will undoubtedly enjoy his larger-than-life star turn. Using characteristic wit, charm, grace and dignity, Connery turns his ersatz Salinger into an inspiring and inspired creation. He's reason enough to find ``Forrester'' when it arrives in theaters.

``FINDING FORRESTER''

(Rated PG-13: brief strong language, some sexual references)

The stars: Sean Connery, Rob Brown, F. Murray Abraham, Anna Paquin.

Behind the scenes: Directed by Gus Van Sant. Screenplay by Mike Rich. Released by Columbia Pictures.

Running time: Two hours, 13 minutes.

Now playing: AMC Century 14 in Century City; expands citywide on Christmas Day.

Our rating: Three stars

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Anna Paquin is the preppy and intelligent girl who becomes fast friends with Jamal (played by Rob Brown), an underachiever who burns with fierce brilliance in ``Finding Forrester.''