Forrest Gump is an Academy Award winning film about a simple man who experiences and participates in some of the most defining moments of the 1960’s, 70’s, and 80’s. Director Robert Zeckemis takes the audience on the journey of Forrest Gump as he plays college football for the University of Alabama, wins the medal of honor in Vietnam, and tries to find his true love. Tom Hanks plays the role of Forrest Gump, a man with a low I.Q who always has good intentions. Forrest goes through a tough childhood of bullying and phsyical ailments, but gets through it with his best friend, Jenny, played by Robin Wright. As time progressess, Forrest becomes more and more famous, but Jenny strays farther away from him. The movie encaptures many key moments from the Cold War era, such as the desegregation, the Watergate scandal, and the anti-war sentiment of the 1960’s. All of which Forrest is connected to in some way.
This movie has a personal connection to me becuause I was sometimes bullied in grade school, and the only people who helped me get through it were my closest friends. This is similar to how Jenny helped Forrest get through his early life bullying.
The writer’s message that is shown in the film is that if America was as simple-minded as Forrest, the world might be a better place. The author portrays this by showing the success of Forrest. Even though Forrest might not be the smartest person in any room, he finds a way to be an inspirational figure wherever he goes. I think the writer is trying to say that if America approached things with a simple mind, like Forrest does, our problems might be more solvable.
Forrest goes on many runs in this movie, and his running represents Forrest changing. In these runs his emotions change, and he becomes a better or more significant person. These runs help him get to where he’s going both literally and figuratively. For example, when he runs across America, it symbolizes him becoming an inspirational figure to all of America.
This film can be compared to the Billy Joel song, “We Didn’t Start the Fire”. I make this comparison because it encompasses all of the events and feelings of the Cold War Era. In Joel’s song, he describes all of the problems of the era and describes them as a fire that needs stopping, but in Forrest Gump, there is a more positive outlook on the era, even when it is in its most dark times, there is hope.
In the end, I love this movie. It is funny, sad, compelling, and amazing all in one, every aspect of this movie is fantastic. The directing, writing, acting, and music all are amazing. The movie perfectly encapsulates the era in which it portrays.