Forrest Gump is a movie that I have heard a lot about, and I’ve always wanted to see. The movie depicts the life of Forrest Gump, played by Tom Hanks. Gump is a slow-witted but kind-hearted man from Alabama who witnesses several defining historical events in the 20th century in the United States, and unwittingly shapes the lives of many around him. The movie is “divided,” in a sense, into sections, including the Vietnam War, The Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, his love life with Jenny, and Gump’s abilities at running and ping-pong. The movie transitions smoothly between each of these sections. For example, his time in the army during the Vietnam War transitioned to him discovering his innate ability to play ping-pong, which he started playing in the barracks of his camp in Vietnam. The part of the movie that focuses on his relationship with Jenny gives way to his ability to run, first discovered when he was young (“Run Forest, run!”), moving to his football scholarship, and eventually to his decision to run across the entire country. My favorite part of the movie is when Gump decides to run across the country on a whim. Gump’s slow-wittedness often works to his advantage in this movie, as he is able to ignore or make light of some of the serious situations around him. This movie sends a good message: that anyone in life can be successful.

 

I loved this movie. It shows how someone from any upbringing can become successful, and change the lives of others. The movie starts with an opening shot of a feather moving through the air, through a city. The feather moves through the city, never falling, eventually landing at Gump’s feet at a bus stop, where he eventually begins to tell his story to a stranger. In my mind, the feather symbolizes Gump, how he floated through several significant events in human history, and led a very full life. The script was good, sometimes it was a bit far-fetched, such as someone running across the country without any planning or training beforehand. The acting was incredible, especially Tom Hanks’ performance as Forrest Gump. He plays a believable simple-minded Southerner. Robin Wright’s performance as Jenny was great as well. The portion of the movie that was devoted to the Vietnam War was when the acting really showed. Gary Sinise, who plays Lieutenant Dan, played a harsh platoon leader, who becomes crippled in battle and persists through his disability throughout the movie. The effects for the movie were good considering when the movie was made (1994). Most of the effects were practical, but some of them were computer generated. The explosions in Vietnam were all practical, but the jet fighters and napalm canisters were computer generated. CGI was used to depict Gump with several historical figures, such as John F. Kennedy and John Lennon. Gary Sinise’s legs are also removed using CGI. I liked the soundtrack of the movie, with many notable songs such as “Fortunate Son” and “For What It’s Worth.” The cinematography itself was solid as well. I didn’t notice anything special about it, it blended into the movie. I liked the scenes where the rule of thirds was broken to show Gump sitting on the bench. The lighting was good, again, it was good enough to be unnoticeable, and blend in to the movie.

 

I would definitely recommend this movie to a friend. It is entertaining, and it is inspiring. Personally, it inspired me to get off the couch after watching it and do something. I was inspired by the full life that Gump lived. He influenced the lives of so many, simply by living his life. In fact, often his simple-mindedness led him to do some very honorable things. He saved Lieutenant Dan, not considering the consequences of his actions, he gave Bubba’s family all of the money he made from the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, and he ran across the country, inspiring many to do the same. The most important takeaway I had from this movie was to go with the flow, as Gump does. Don’t think about what you’re doing too much and second guess yourself. Gump’s simple outlook on life led him to do great things.