Great Film: Forrest Gump
Forrest is here to save the day
Who or what is Forrest Gump? Is he a simpleton? An idealist? A moral
paragon? In this movie it's more appropriate to describe him as what he
isn't. Forrest lives in a world that derides him as stupid but, as Mrs
Gump says, "stupid is as stupid does", and in this movie it's the other
characters who seem endowed with stupidity: Jenny stumbles from one bad
trip to another, Lieutant Dan loses his legs, then his mind at war,
while everybody else seems to engage in acts of relentless and tragic
idiocy. All through this Forrest is the constant: he sees the world in
simple terms, intent on doing the right thing. In this movie it's not
Forrest that's retarded; it's the rest of the world.
Forrest Gump mentions and addresses many of the crucial American wounds
of the 20th century: Vietnam, relationships with African-Americans,
drugs, capitalism and the mistreatment of women. Naturally Forrest
himself takes the morally upright line on all of these: he fights in
Vietnam then rejects war as hell, makes best friends with the
African-American Bubba, rejects drugs, becomes a national sporting
hero, makes a million without even trying, looks for love with Jenny
but loses her despite treating her better than any other man ever did.
The interactions and contradictions between Forrest and his more
worldly, more cynical castmates is the source of much humor, some of it
quite dark. Weaving Forrest into various bits of historical footage was
quirky and interesting, though played no significant part in the story.
The acting is strong, the narrative is compelling enough and its
semi-documentary style direction is consistent and provides clarity and
pace. However Forrest Gump is little more than an ideological fairy
story, partly to keep viewers believing in the cause. Would that we
could have a world where the best-intentioned half-wit could pop up at
opportune moments in history, winning hearts, amassing a fortune,
becoming famous. Sadly, the world generally belongs to those who have
screwed over someone else to get there - and that isn't Forrest, he's
too nice a guy.
Cast
- Forrest Gump played by Tom Hanks
- Pvt. Benjamin Buford 'Bubba' Blue played by Mykelti Williamson
- Jenny Curran played by Robin Wright Penn
- Lt. Dan Taylor played by Gary Sinise
- Mrs. Gump played by Sally Field
- Nurse At Park Bench played by Rebecca Williams
- Young Forrest Gump played by Michael Conner Humphreys
