The movie, Finding Forrester, involved many motifs about light and sight. These motifs all play a key role in further development of the characters. Important characters are introduced through the use of light and sight. Like Jamal, the protagonist in which the film is based around is first introduced in his sleep, his eyes open as his mom attempts to wake him up for school, a literal and metaphorical awakening. Forrester plays Jamal’s mentor, but as he is first introduced, Forrester is looking out the window, with binoculars, which plays into a both the light and sight motifs.
Windows play a key role throughout the movie. Forrester informs Jamal that he leaves the house only to clean his windows. Forrester is stuck in his apartment, just as he is stuck in his life. As his brother died, he finds it hard to leave the house. When Jamal takes him to a baseball game he becomes very anxious in the crowd. Forrester keeps the windows very clean, this is because Forrester is metaphorical looking through the windows without any judgement. Keeping the windows clean is allowing a clear view to the world without any prejudice. When Forrester dies, Jamal is seen opening the window. No longer does he have to clean the dirt (“stereotypes”) from the window, but is able to break through from the stereotypes.The camera then pans through the window to see Jamal and his Brother playing Basketball together. This unites Jamal and his Brother after Jamal loses his mentor, Forrester.
