Finding Forrester (2000 Film)
TopnotchMiles Davismusic complements Gus Van Sant's latest film about an urban youth (Rob Brown), torn between basketball and writing, who meets a reclusive novelist (Sean Connery).  The unlikely tale is supported by a generous sampling of Davis's early 1970s work nodding toOrnette Colemanand guitaristBill Frisell. With the help ofRon Carter,Herbie Hancock,Wayne Shorter, andTony Williams, Davis molded his second "classic" quintet into a groundbreaking mix of funk and rock that created something far beyond the reaches of fusion. Both "Recollections" and "Lonely Fire" hail from Davis's landmarkBitches Brewsessions (finally seeing release asThe Complete Bitches Brew Sessionsin October 1998) and offer a calming, nearly ambient effect. This combined with Davis's polyrhythmic funk--"Black Satin" fromOn the Corner--and Ornette Coleman's own independent approach toward improvisation make for a solid sampler of jazz in a transitional age.--Rob O'Connor