The Analysis of Forest Gump
The Analysis of Forest Gump
The 1990’s film phenomenon Forrest Gump is probably one of the most skeptical films of its time. Most critics have highly enjoyed this entertaining movie. Roger Ebert referred the film as a “magical movie”. Others such as Hal Hinson from the Washington Post called Forrest Gump “a real zero”. Nevertheless, the success of Forrest Gump out voices the critics, racking in millions of dollars. This comedy/drama has people of America falling in love with Tom Hanks’ brilliant performance of Forrest Gump and laughing through historical scenes that included great special effects and directing of Robert Zemeckis. There is no question why this heartwarming film won an Oscar for best picture of the year, but the real controversy lies in discovering the message of the film, if there is even a message.
Forrest Gump a humble slow man with an IQ of 75 who triumphs through many important events through American history from 1950’s to the 1980’s. While surviving all these events, Forrest always runs into his childhood love Jenny who gets caught up in the troublesome trends of each decade. From the beginning to end, the movie is well casted with Tom Hanks starring as Forrest Gump, Robin Wright as Jenny Curran, and Sally Fields as Forrest Gump’s mother. I love the diversity of these characters. Wright stars as Jenny, Gump’s love interest. Jenny plays a free spirited, outspoken, rebel. As the film passes through time, Jenny becomes caught up in a life style of living the fast life. In the 60’s she was kicked out of college for posing in Playboy magazine with her university sweater. She then becomes a stripper, and hitch hiking her way in and out of trouble all over the country. Into the 70’s she was experimenting with “herbs” and a part of a non-violent protest on the Vietnam War. Ultimately, her drug use led to her demise as she was diagnosed with AIDS in the 80’s. On the other hand, Forrest Gump was the complete opposite of Jenny. Gump‘s character
The 1990’s film phenomenon Forrest Gump is probably one of the most skeptical films of its time. Most critics have highly enjoyed this entertaining movie. Roger Ebert referred the film as a “magical movie”. Others such as Hal Hinson from the Washington Post called Forrest Gump “a real zero”. Nevertheless, the success of Forrest Gump out voices the critics, racking in millions of dollars. This comedy/drama has people of America falling in love with Tom Hanks’ brilliant performance of Forrest Gump and laughing through historical scenes that included great special effects and directing of Robert Zemeckis. There is no question why this heartwarming film won an Oscar for best picture of the year, but the real controversy lies in discovering the message of the film, if there is even a message.
Forrest Gump a humble slow man with an IQ of 75 who triumphs through many important events through American history from 1950’s to the 1980’s. While surviving all these events, Forrest always runs into his childhood love Jenny who gets caught up in the troublesome trends of each decade. From the beginning to end, the movie is well casted with Tom Hanks starring as Forrest Gump, Robin Wright as Jenny Curran, and Sally Fields as Forrest Gump’s mother. I love the diversity of these characters. Wright stars as Jenny, Gump’s love interest. Jenny plays a free spirited, outspoken, rebel. As the film passes through time, Jenny becomes caught up in a life style of living the fast life. In the 60’s she was kicked out of college for posing in Playboy magazine with her university sweater. She then becomes a stripper, and hitch hiking her way in and out of trouble all over the country. Into the 70’s she was experimenting with “herbs” and a part of a non-violent protest on the Vietnam War. Ultimately, her drug use led to her demise as she was diagnosed with AIDS in the 80’s. On the other hand, Forrest Gump was the complete opposite of Jenny. Gump‘s character
Cited: Ebert, Roger. “Forrest Gump.” Rogerebert.com 20 Feb. 2011: Web. Hinson, Hal. “Forrest Gump, Our National Folk Zero.” Washington Post 14 Aug. 1994: Web. Klawans, Stuart. “Forrest Gump.” The Nation 8 Jan. 2009: Web. Skoble, Aeon J. “Forrest Gump: A Subversive Movie.” The Freeman 45.7 (1995). Web.