In the film Finding Forrester, director Gus Van Sant develops the idea that individuals may hide their true identities from others in order to be accepted or to avoid the outside world. However, the characters Jamal Wallace and William Forrester are only able to live fulfilling lives after they overcome obstacles that had caused them to hide aspects of their identities and fully embrace who they truly are. The director uses settings, motifs, and clothing to depict how the characters' identities are initially restricted but later transformed as they learn to accept themselves.