Skip to main content

F: Forrest Gump #AToZChallenge


Movie Name: Forrest Gump
Language: English
Genre: Drama
Cast: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Year Of Release: 1994

What it is about:


Due to leg braces fitted to correct a curved spine, Forrest is unable to walk properly. On his first day of school, he meets a girl named Jenny Curran who immediately befriends young Forrest, unlike the others who bully him because of his physical disability and marginal intelligence. One day, while trying to escape some bullies chasing him, his braces fall off and he turns out to be a very fast runner when Jenny yells "Run, Forrest, run!". Thanks to his new running ability, he receives a football scholarship and soon enlists in the US Army and goes to war. When he saves his platoon in the time of a disaster, he is awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism.

Once he's back home, and Jenny visits, he proposes to her but she declines. Heartbroken, Forrest decides to go for a run. He decides to keep running across the country several times over three and a half years, becoming famous in the process.

Will Forrest ever find true love and happiness?

What I loved about it:

This is the role that was tailor made for Tom Hanks and he well deservedly won an Oscar for this. I loved the character of Forrest Gump. He's smart in his own way and doesn't ever give up. Be it taking up ping-pong or buying a shrimping boat to fulfill the promise to made to a friend during war. And his unsaid love for Jenny and his mother. Everything about this movie is sweet and sublime. Every time Forrest encounters a life-changing situation, you root for him to succeed. Most of Forrest's dialogues start with "Mama always said..." and each of them makes so much sense and can be life lessons.

Jenny is an endearing character too. As a victim of child sexual abuse at the hands of her widowed father, Jenny embarks on a different path from Forrest, leading a self-destructive life and becoming part of the hippie movement and drug culture. Still, you feel for her and want her to end up with Forrest in the end.


The movie talks about how beautiful imperfection is and that was exactly my take-away from it. You don't need to be super smart to succeed. You don't need to stake claim on the one you love. You don't have to try too hard to be good. If you're a nice person, everything falls in place, at the right time and at the right place.

Runners-up: Finding Nemo (English), French Kiss (English).

This post is a part of the A To Z Challenge for April, where my theme for this year is Movies I Love.

Comments

  1. Ah! This is such an endearing movie with so many life lessons. Tom Hanks played his role to perfection, love the way he shares his innocence and goodness with others. It is definitely a MUST watch movie for all. Finding Nemo is another gem of a movie!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I loved this film, too! I did watch it just recently, but fell in love with Forrest instantly! Tom Hanks is enormously gifted, isn't he?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I just love love love this movie and Tom Hanks- he was perfect for this role! His simpleton habits and unwavering loyalty were the most endearing things about him and he brought this character to life in his own zany way.

    Harry Potter by JK Rowling #atozchallenge

    ReplyDelete
  4. Okay you are TOTALLY picking movies I love. Next time we are binge watching movies at your/my place over good food. That's it, I have decided. :D

    Tom Hanks, Ah! I fell in love with him in 'You've got Mail'. And then from there it's been an eternal love story. THis movie I can watch limitless times and not get tired of it. Must watch it with Gy soon. She'd enjoy it too :) Also, don't you think Gump's character is seen in some shades in Eleanor Oliphant? The former is guileless while the latter is straightforward.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deal, I'm with you on this <3

      Now that you mention it, yes. The habits and mannerism, yes.

      Delete
  5. I love Forrest Gump. It's a fantastic movie. A favourite of the kids as well.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Loved this movie to bits! Also, what you have written is perfectly what I felt for him in the movie. Life is best when we accept the imperfections. Lovely write up, Soumya. ❤️

    ReplyDelete
  7. I just couldn't watch the entire movie because it was heart wrenching. Tom Hanks at his brilliance!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tell me about it! It was emotionally overwhelming, yes.

      Delete
  8. This is an eternal classic. I totally loved it when I watched it 10 years back with the now nineteen year old girl. Time to watch it with my nine year old. Your reviews are so very heart warming Soumya. Urges me to go binge watching all these lovely picks by you.

    Finding Nemo is lovely too. Though I am yet to watch French Kiss. What's your verdict on that?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is a reason why French Kiss made it to the runners-up list! It is a lovely, romantic story with a stellar main cast :)

      Delete
  9. Oh, I just loved this movie, Soumya. I agree with you, this role was definitely tailor made for Tom Hanks and I believe it is one of his finest movies, although the list is long. I also loved Finding Nemo, one of the finest animated movies ever made!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Just like me, say what you feel. While constructive criticism is welcome, please keep it subtle and kind. Thank you!