Forrest Gump (1994)

Director: Robert Zemeckis
Screenplay: Eric Roth (based on the book by Winston Groom)
Cast: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise 
Music: Alan Silvestri
Time: 142 minutes
Bottom-line: A charming film, with Hanks at his best

In a year that produced a lot of popular and memorable films, Forrest Gump emerged as one of the most charming, inspirational and well-made films. Starring Tom Hanks – who won his second consecutive Oscar for acting – and Robin Wright, supported by Gary Sinise and Sally Field, the film covers several (sometimes life-changing) incidents of its titular character.

"My name is Forrest Gump. People call me...
Forrest Gump" 

1981 – Forrest Gump (Hanks) narrates the story of his childhood to random strangers who sit next to him on a public bench. His story dates back to the 1950s, where Forrest, as a child, had to wear leg braces. His mother (Field) knows he has below average intelligence but still motivates him by saying "stupid is as stupid does". As he goes to school he becomes best friends with Jenny – or as he calls her, “Jennayyy” (adult role played by Wright). One day when some bullies chase him, Forrest realises that he can run extremely fast. This eventually gets him a spot in the College Football All-America Team. This is only the beginning of the tale of one of the most influential people of the 20th century – Forrest Gump.

Wright as Jenny

How does Tom Hanks do it? How can he bring so much of passion and commitment into acting that just whatever he does on screen wins your admiration? Every time we see a child do something innocent it brings a smile to our face, and our minds think “If only everyone was as innocent as that”. But if a man in an adult body can make you feel the same way, you know that only Tom Hanks can do it. Forrest is one of the most intriguing and mysterious characters you’ll come across – he’s not smart, but sure is brave; he’s naive, but come on, when you see such a person, cheating him is the last thing that comes to mind! He seems to have no clue what he’s doing half the time, but yet the results are fascinating. To see him be so innocent in his actions and thoughts may makes everyone around him seem all the more worse.

One such memorable quote

The story mainly builds on four relationships of Forrest – with his mother, friend, colleague and lover. Sally Field portrays the strong-willed single mother who is Forrest’s inspiration and guide, as seen from the way he sticks to all her quotes. To see her be so supportive and benign to Forrest when no one else is, makes you feel all the more sad for Forrest when she dies later in the story. The “friend” is his partner in the Vietnam war, Bubba (Mykelti Williamson). A personality as weird as Forrest himself, Bubba inspires Forrest to join him in the "shrimpin’ business", but unfortunately doesn’t make it past the Vietnam border. Forrest keeps up his side of the promise and starts the Bubba-Gump Shrimp Co. The colleague is Lieutenant Dan (Sinise), a man to whom Forrest (unknowingly) teaches the value of life. Losing his legs in Vietnam, the only thing that would have made Dan happy was to die a hero, but Forrest saves his life by bringing him back to the US. When you see him come to Forrest’s wedding, as a changed man (with magic legs too!), you can’t help but smile when you think how influential Forrest has been. Forrest describes his relation with Jenny as “Jenny and me was like peas and carrots”. Her character is difficult to understand – when you see her get into bad practices, almost commit suicide, you think why Forrest stills want her. But when you are in Forrest’s position, where everyone mocks you and tries to fool you, when one girl is able to touch your heart, you will do anything for her. If the film has any effect on you then you surely will shed a tear when Forrest talks to Jenny's grave.

The cross-country run that Forrest does has become a memorable event in Hollywood cinema, being used as a reference numerous times. With so many memorable quotes, not to forget Forrest’s bits of dry humour (thanks to his child-like innocence), a spellbinding performance from Hanks, and a well-paced storyline, Forrest Gump is one of the best Tom Hanks films. But my personal favourite film of 1994 will remain The Shawshank Redemption, which I believe deserved the Oscars for Best Picture and Director.

My Rating: 3.5/5
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 72%