Costuming In Forrest Gump

2/14/10
Forrest Gump Robert Zemeckis’ Forrest Gump (1994) is an influential contribution to the American film repertoire. It is a film that exemplifies history as well as describes America’s ever changing culture and social structure. The historic feel of this classic American film is multiplied by the meticulous costumes worn in the film. Playing a significant role in bringing each individual character to life and adding the impression of realism to the vast timeline of the film. When costuming in a film is mentioned the first speculation is usually that of a character’s outfit. However, that is not all that encompasses the art of costuming. An aspect of costuming that has equal impact on the way a character in a film is perceived is
Because Wright is an attractive woman it is particularly difficult for a makeup artist to work in nuances. However, going into her work quite deeply, D’Amore was successful in transitioning Wright’s character, Jenny, during her spell of drug abuse in the bedroom when she was at her lowest ebb to at the parties with her glitter makeup, and to calmer times when she was with Forrest (Striepeke). One of the most drastic changes in appearance throughout the film was that of Mrs. Gump (Sally Field). Moving her from a pretty, well kept, middle aged woman to a sick, bedridden old lady, D’Amore and Striepeke together had to use more than just face paint. Using and refining a new method to aging a person, plastic was laid across where the crows-feet or smile lines would be, or right in them, and were then squeezed and shaped to make a roll rather than making a crease. After the desired shape was acquired her face was then delicately painted with water brushes to avoid the heavy “mask” look
soldier he is uncharacteristically greeted by Lieutenant Dan Taylor. The telling of his heritage is shown in quick succession and features his ancestors dying in combat starting with an American soldier dressed in a uniform from about 1781. He is recognizable as a lieutenant by the epaulette on his left shoulder. Next comes a soldier from the civil war. Also identifiable as a lieutenant because of his shoulder straps, red sash and sword, and the emblem on his cap. Although the next two shots depicting WWI and WWII soldiers becoming casualties of war don’t give clear depictions of their rank, it can be imagined that they were of equal status to those shown before them and Lt. Dan himself. As these shots unfold the accuracy of their costumes can be observed. From the types of