It is one of the best films of all time. Simple is that
I took a long time writing this one. Not because I was struggling to find words, rather I had so much to say, that it was difficult to make it this concise. I feel I have done the best I could and made it as short as it could be, which still amounts to the longest review I have written yet. Enjoy!
'Forrest Gump' is a film which has been close to my heart ever since I fell in love with movies. It was one of the first few films I saw diligently and quickly grew an appreciation for it. Released in 1994 (also known as one of the best years for Hollywood movies) it captured the hearts of all who saw it and managed to bag the academy award for best picture and best actor that year. It is a story of overcoming odds and making the best out of whatever life throws at you. Or as Forrest’s mother likes to say “Life’s a box of chocolates, you never know what you are gonna get”.
Synopsis:
The movie starts off with Forrest(Tom Hanks) who is sitting at the bus stop waiting for bus no.9 when a woman comes sits beside him waiting for her own bus and starts to read a magazine, but Forrest; being the sociable person that he is, engages her in a conversation about her shoes and that eventually leads him to narrate his entire life story, right from his childhood till adulthood to mere strangers who happen to sit beside him. He has never been the brightest kid, but his mother(Sally Field) made sure that he receives no special treatment and goes through life like a normal person, which brings its own upsides and downsides.
When chased down by local bullies in a car he ran so fast that his talents were recognized fit for the local college football team. After he graduated he was asked to join the army, so he went off to fight in the Vietnam war. In the war one of his buddies asked him to join his shrimping business, so he went off and did that after the war was over. That’s how impulsive Forrest has been throughout his life. Some people like to mistake it for stupidity, but it is just plain honesty and niceness that he employs.
But it’s not all bad, he also makes a ton of friends which play a major role in his life. The most important one being Jenny, his best and only friend since childhood. Both of them have always been together like peas and carrots. Jenny’s story is also explored through Forrest’s perspective but, she has a path of her own. As a kid, she was the victim of sexual abuse from her own father and because of that has always wished to fly free away from life’s worries, like a bird. But unlike Forrest, life isn’t too kind to her and she indulges in self-destructive tendencies up until adulthood. How both of them take on life with their given circumstances is the most engaging aspect of this film. It is not just a heartwarming, coming of age story, it is about life; and gives importance to the dark and happy aspects of it.
How's the story?
I believe that a film’s characters can make or break a film and the characters are the absolute best part of this film. You get to witness them grow up and go through various experiences that change their lives and shapes the people they become. By the end of it’s two and a half hour duration, I felt as if I had known these people for years and cared about what will happen to them, as if they were my own friends. Some of the best character building I have ever seen.
It gets pretty emotional as well. There are several points in the film where I was balling my eyes out trying to hold back the waterfall of tears streaming down my face. They definitely get you in the feels with this one.
How is the cinematography/special effects?
The film has some of the best scenic shots and surprisingly good CGI work. From the deep forests of Vietnam to the rich countryside of southern America, beautiful shots are plentiful. The establishing shots are wide and long, while in closed-door spaces, the camera focuses on the actor, showing the slightest twitch in their faces.
The best CGI effects are those when you can’t differentiate between what’s real and what’s fake, and you’d be surprised to know which ones are after you’ve completed the film.
They were able to recreate key moments in American history with technology that was ahead of its time!
How's the score?
Alan Silvestri (one of the best in the business) composed the score for this masterpiece. It is wholesome, triumphant and heartbreaking. It has the ability to take you back to your childhood, even if you are hearing it for the first time in your life.
The official soundtrack is amazing with some of the best rock and roll tracks from the ’60s till the ’80s which fit every mood and scene the film throws at you. The Beatles, Lynard Skynard, Bob Dylan, The Doors even Elvis Presly songs have made it’s way to the soundtrack. A great playlist for all tastes and interests.
What about the Performances?
As I have said before, the characters are the heart and soul of any story, and the performance of the actors, playing these characters are nothing short of legendary. Tom Hanks as Forrest is definitely one of the best performances he has ever given(winning him his second Oscar). This is the film that in my opinion legitimized him as one of the heavy hitters in Hollywood when it comes down to acting chops. He has the character down to the tee, the mannerisms, the childlike like innocence that he maintains even as an adult, the southern drawl in his accent, everything is near perfection.
If anyone else was doing the role, it could’ve easily turned into an over the top goofball, but when you have a talent like Hanks playing him, you can almost guarantee that it is going to work out.
Robin Wright was given the role of Jenny and she is fantastic as well. Though her character is a bit muted when compared to Forrest, Wright handles the nuances and the subtleties that come with a role like this with great expertise. You start off by being frustrated with her character but as the film goes on and the screenplay peels off the layers of her psyche, you come to an understanding and actually start empathizing with her. Being paired up against an actor like Hanks, both of them have great chemistry together and you find yourself rooting for their love story to succeed and come to a happy ending.
The film is filled with memorable side characters as well, even the bus driver which only appears for like 20 seconds had a distinct and memorable personality.
Sally Field who plays Forrest’s momma is like the ideal mother. Despite whatever her son goes through she is always there as a supportive, nurturing, and caring figure in Forrest’s life. Field is a veteran of the craft and that is clearly on display here. There is a certain scene in the film which is so real and emotionally gripping, her performance alone makes it that much more impactful.
And last but not least there is Lieutenant Dan! The brave and fearless leader of the 4th Platoon and Forrest’s commanding officer in the Vietnam war. He is by far my favorite character in the film and even though his arc isn’t the main plot of the film but, was the most relatable one for me. Gary Sinise is perfect in this role, and his dynamic with Forrest’s naive and nonchalant personality is pure gold!
You could just tell that this film was gonna be something special just by looking at the cast of talented actors.
The Direction?
Robert Zemeckis who has also directed the ‘Back to the Future’ franchise (one of my other favorite films which I’m gonna be reviewing soon) helms this film. He takes you on an absolute journey and gets you emotionally invested. The world he has built grows along with its characters and gives you the feeling that you are growing alongside them. The decision to tell the story through flashbacks would be considered “lazy writing” in many cases but here, it just works beautifully.
Final Thoughts
I thought hard about any potential flaws that this movie might have, and honestly, I really can’t find any big, real flaw. Yes if you want to be nitpicky you can say that; it’s a bit stupid how Forrest is coincidentally a part of almost every important cultural event in post world war America, but it is incorporated so seamlessly that it won’t ruin the excellent viewing experience at all.
Maybe I’m just wearing rose-tinted glasses but you would still be hard-pressed to find someone who has seen the film and doesn’t at least like it.
If I had a rating system I could give Forrest Gump would definitely be at the topmost bracket of legendary movies. It is a magical film with a big heart, amazing storytelling, and some of the most memorable characters ever. If you have not seen this one yet, it is streaming on Prime, I implore you to go ahead and watch this right now. It is one of those movies that you have to watch before you die.
If you liked this review you can also click here to check out my review of 'The Namesake', another great feel-good film.
Forrest Gump Trailer:
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