Production year: 1994
Country: USA
Cert(UK): 12A
Runtime: 142 mins
Directors: Robert Zemeckis
Cast: Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump) Robin Wright (Jenny Curran) Sally Field (Mrs.Gump) Mykelti Williamson (Bubba) Michael Conner Humphreys (Young Forrest) Hanna Hall (Young jenny) Gary Sinise (Lt. Dan Taylor)
I can't think of a more heart warming film. Tom Hanks portrays simple-minded Forrest Gump in a way I believe no other actor could. He fits the part like 'one of them round pegs'.
Young Forrest, played by truely adorable Michael C Humphreys, has trouble making friends because he's slow and doesnt get on very well with the other boys. Until one day on the bus, he hears the sweetest voice in the wide world, Jenny's (Hanna Hall).
Forrest and Jenny remain like 'pea's and carrots' right up until college. They have amazing adventures, even though, little to Forrests understanding, Jenny is being abused by her father.
As the film goes on we see more and more that Forrest has fallen very much head-over-heels for Jenny.
This film tackles very serious issues head on. Like drug use, racism and the vietnam war, where Forrest meets his best good friend Benjamin Buford Blue or Bubba for short. These two simple minds go together like bread and butter. The story of poor Bubba is a short and tragic one, but Forrest uses this as inspiration for his shrip boat buisness, named BUBBA GUMP, in memory of his dear friend, and kindly donates the money he earned to Bubbas family.
Through all the different and odd relationships he faces throughout the years, none is more raw and deep as his with Jenny. They don't see eachother for long periods of time, but whenever they reunite, it's obvious they're true companions. Forrest visits Jenny after many years appart and finds out that he has a son.
Jenny Curran: His name's Forrest.
Forrest Gump: Like me.
Jenny Curran :I named him after his daddy.
Forrest Gump: He got a daddy named Forrest, too?
Jenny Curran: You're his daddy, Forrest.
After this bombshell, Jenny tells Forrest (in simple terms) that she has untreatable cancer, and that she will die soon. So they decide to finally tie the knot and get married. This has been a long time coming as Forrest proposed to Jenny earlier in the film, but she regects non-verbally and flees again. Forrest is a man of few words but what he does say means more than a thousand. He tells Jenny that he may not be a smart man, but he knows what love is. He proves that anyone can love anyone. Jenny dies later that week and Forrest is left to care for Forrest Jr. (Haley Joel Osment)
He speaks to her as though he needs to tell her what's happened, even though he knows well she can't respond. " You died on a Saturday morning. And I had you placed here under our tree. And I had that house of your fathers bulldozed to the ground. Momma always said dyin' was a part of life. I sure wish it wasn't."
This is the part of the film that always get's me, it makes me feel truely sorry for Forrest as he only just got to call Jenny his wife and then she dies, but i think the fact that they have a son together keeps her in his life forever through Forrest Jr's life, I bawl tremendously through this scene, when Forrest is speaking to Jenny's grave stone, especially when Forrest says "I miss you Jenny" and cries for the first time in the whole film, this may be his first time, but it sure isn't mine. He tells Jenny that their son is so smart and that they're both doing well, which is comforting to the viewer as all seems so glum and sad. But still, silly old blubbery mess of me cries through it all, even if its the 1st time, or the 50th time, it pulls your heart strings.
I think we can learn a lot from this film. Forrest has an open mind about everything. When all other white people where arguing and being nasty to the new black students and the local school. Forrest (a white male) goes over and helps a black woman who drops her notebook, much to the disgust of the crowd. Also Forrest's best friend Bubba was black, which made no difference to how much they liked eachother. Neither of them even seemed to noice, as when they were asked if they were twins (as an obvious joke because they said the same thing at the same time) they both answered seriously as though the person saying it had genuinely thought they were twins, desbite being different races.
This film also shows us how drugs and ruin your life. Jenny struggles with a cocaine addition and becomes depressed and threatens suicide. "Jenny Curran: Do you think I could fly off this bridge, Forrest? Forrest Gump: What do you mean, Jenny? Jenny Curran: Nothing." In this scene Jenny also looks painfully skinny and ill, which shows the viewer what bad things will happen when you abuse drugs.
The main focus of the film though is during the Vietnam war, which Forrest is part of. He gives a whole new perspective of the war saying "It's
not really hard. You just make your bed real neat and remember to stand up
straight and always answer every question with "Yes, drill sergeant." Forrest doesnt really understand the meaning of the war as he says they kept looking for someone called "Charlie" and his main concern was the rain. Forrest was stupid/brave enough to go back into the firing line to save many troops including his dear friend bubba and LT. Dan, much to his disgust. He is send home after this though because he gets shot in the bum. He recieves a medal though and gets to meet the president.
This film has a perfect blend of seriousness and humour. And is also accurate for the 1940's -1960's. The directors of this film cleverly includes real life film footage from John F. Kennedy and John Lennon, editing the mouth to make them seem as though they're saying different things, instead of using look-a-like actors. Also the link between Forrest and huge hits at that time are tickling to watch. Like Forrest's unusual dance due to his leg braces are said to have been Elvis Presleys inspiration for his signature dance, and selling his shares for "some fruit company" as the world famous apple products. There are lots of these funny links to well known products and brands that will keep you fixed to the screen.
I really do not have much bad to say about this masterpiece of a film. Apart from that poor Forrest gets no good luck. If you are to watch this film, I highly reccomend that you take tissues and brace yourself for a whirlwind of emotion, laughs and tears, but I promise you, no part will leave you bored.
I salute you, Robert Zemeckis.
1,134 words
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