Forrest Gump is a heartwarming story about the life and challenges of a retarded man. I chose the movie because it is more of a meditation of the current times seen through the eyes of a man that sees things as they are. The movie explains why some people are often criticized for not being too clever. Forrest is clever enough to face daily challenges with a superior level of boldness. This paper discusses Forrest Gump movie by analyzing its plot, characters, and a personal critique of the film.
Forrest Gump is an American drama film produced in 1994 by Paramount Pictures. The film is based on a 1986 novel that bears the same name. The film is similar to the novel but had changes like that of several events and Gump’s personality. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckick and stars Tom Hanks, Gary Sinise, Sally Field and Robin Wright. The story is about a slow-witted but kind-hearted and athletically able man from Alabama. He experienced defining events in his life for the latter half of the 20th Century within the United States. The period of the movie is between 1944 and 1982. It is rated PG-13 for having some war violence, sensuality, and drug content.
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Plot
The story begins in 1981 when Forrest Gump recounts his life story to a few strangers that sit beside him in Savannah Georgia. On the first day of school during the early 1950s in Alabama, Gump meets a girl named Jenny Curran who befriends young Forrest. Forrest is unable to walk properly because of because of leg braces that are fitted so as to correct his curved spine. One day a young truck driver, Elvis Presley, while playing guitar, becomes fascinated by the jerky hip movements made by Forrest as he tries to dance. Elvis becomes famous by imitating the dance in his shows.
Forrest becomes frequently bullied because of his marginal intelligence and physical disability. Some bullies confront him one day, and he tries to escape them. His braces fall off, and Forrest runs very fast. He discovers that he has running abilities which leads him to receive a football scholarship at the University of Alabama. After receiving his college education, he enlists in the United States Army and becomes friend with a fellow soldier called Bubba. The two are sent to Vietnam in 1967 and Bubba is killed during an ambush. Forrest saves most of his squad and is awarded a Medal of Honor for his heroism. Forrest goes on to recover from a gunshot wound when saving his mates. He discovers that he has a talent for ping pong and plays to become a ping pong celebrity in Washington D.C. He unites with Jenny who lives a hippie lifestyle in the same place. During his visit to Washington D.C., he stays at the Watergate hotel where he accidentally reveals the Watergate scandal that forced Nixon to resign.
Forrest’s friendship with Jenny reveals a level of disability in finding the right friends. Forrest initially found it difficult to make friends right from a young age when others bullied him. In the later years of the 1970s, Jenny visit Forrest and he proposes to her. She declines and leaves the following morning. Forrest becomes non-judgmental and accepts people for who they are. Jenny had a lot of faults and was not always there when Forrest needed her. However, Forrest never gave up on her. Forrest was always ready to help Jenny. When young, Jenny often had problems at home and he would let her stay at home with him.
As he narrates his story, he is waiting at the bus stop after receiving a letter from Jenny. She reunites with Jenny who introduces him to his son called Forrest Gump Jr. Jenny and tells Forrest that she is sick and has an unknown virus. Jerry and Forrest and the son move to Greenbow, Alabama where the two finally marry. Jenny dies a year later. Forrest takes the role of a father and becomes a responsible dad. He reveals the nature of responsibility that should be adopted by the dads in the current contemporary society. Forrest and his son are waiting for the school bus on the first day at school for Forrest Jr.
Actors and actresses and their roles
Tom Hans plays the role of Forrest Gump. He is perceived to have a low IQ of 75 from an early age. His character shows a devotion to his duties and loved ones. The character trait makes him famous as he goes through several challenging situations. Robin Wright plays the role of Jenny Curran. He is Forrest’s childhood friend with whom they fall in love. They never stop loving throughout their entire life. Jenny is a victim of sexual abuse of a child in the hands of her father. She embarks on a different path from Forrest, a hippie life that ends up destroying her. Gary Sinise plays the role of Lieutenant Dan Taylor. He loses his legs in an ambush and becomes rescued by Forrest. He later thanks Forrest for saving his life.
Mykelti Williamson takes the role of Bubba, who dies in the hands of Forrest after the ambush. He was a good friend of Forrest, and after his death, Forrest gives Bubba’s part of the business to Bubba’s mother. Sally Field plays the role of Mrs. Gump. She comes out as a woman that loves her son unconditionally. Most of her language sounds like slogans which she wants her son to remember.
Personal Critique
Forrest Gump is a beautifully written movie with a good flow. I enjoyed the unique way of how the events in the movie occurred. It started off with Forrest sitting on the bench as he reflects on his past. The movie does not end when he tells the entire story. Instead, it picks up from the park bench and goes on for the next hour. The non-chronological aspect of the movie is extremely creative. The beautiful writing of the film could be because it was first a novel. Its adaptation for the screenplay is phenomenal. The entire narration is funny, beautiful, and soothing. Apart from the great writing, the movie itself is a history lesson. Public figures, world events, and American attitudes in the late twentieth century are clearly presented. Everything from the historical footage, the music, and the cinematography lead to an actual perception of the United States during the mid and late 20th century.
One simple weakness of the movie is that the incidences are somewhat unbelievable. Forrest Gump runs across the country twice, mows a lawn for free, and makes it to the White House three times for different achievements. The manipulation of the movie does not depict reality. Apart from that, everything about the movie, its cast, acting, and production is good. One key lesson in the movie is the power of being a good friend and having good friends. Forrest’s first friendship takes place when he meets Jenny on the first day of school. Forrest frequently mentions in the movie that he and Jenny were close like “peas and carrots” (Gump, 1994). Forrest had an undeniable loyalty to the friendship which leads to an eventual love. Forrest remained persistent and dedicated to seeing her throughout the course of his life. Another case of friendship was that of Forrest and Bubba, the two met at war in Vietnam and instantly became friends. They slept back-to-back just to avoid mud, and after Bubba died, Forrest lived out Bubba’s dream of being a boat captain. Forrest and Bubba were loyal friends and kind to each other (Wang, 2000).
Another lesson from the movie is that if you are determined to try doing something, you will eventually get successful. Forrest Gump made notable achievements like that of being successful in football, ping pong and running a million dollar business. Forrest Gump decided to keep his promise of getting into the shrimping business after he left the army. He invests $25,000 to buy an old shrimp boat. The going is initially tough as catches only a handful of shrimp. He names the boat for good luck and brings in his fried Lieutenant Dan who is less resourceful and knowledgeable compared to Forrest. Forrest remains determined throughout the venture and by good luck Forrest’s boat is the only one standing after the area is hit by a monopoly of shrimp. They soon become wealthy under the name Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. The story explains that good luck and being in the right place at the right time can make one a millionaire.
In conclusion, the movie was beautifully directed and acted by a great cast. Everything about the simple characters reflects the true nature of the movie. The result was that Tom Hanks won an Oscar award for the movie. The movie has a mix of drama and comedy that challenges societal norms. There are several lessons of friendship in the movie that everyone should learn. I recommend the movie to everyone that wants to know how to live well with others and how to behave when they face difficult challenges in life. There is an endless list of inspiring quotes from the movie that has gotten into everyday life.
References
Wang, J. H. (2000). " A struggle of contending stories": race, gender, and political memory in Forrest Gump. Cinema Journal , 39 (3), 92-115.
Gump, F. (1994). Forrest Gump (1994)- BMovies . Retrieved 5 December 2017, from https://bmovies.is/film/forrest-gump.w1z7/lk77w6
