Good evening,
For as long as i can remember i have put off watching Forrest Gump. I dont know why but for some reason it just hasn't appealed to me. Now, something i find with films that i hesitate to watch, is that eventually I end up loving them after finally watching them. For example i refused to watch Friends With Benefits after it looking like the exact replicate of No Strings Attached... i couldn't have been more wrong. I guess we shouldn't judge a film by its cover!
Over the past years I have seen certain snippets of the film when flicking through channels or caught parts when someone else has been watching it, but i have finally made it the whole way through. It was moving. Genuinely moving and i cried on various occasions. The simplicity and oblivious nature of Forrest Gump's mind in contrast with the severity, intensity and significance of his actions inspire Robert Zemeckis' audience to sink into their seats, crumple their eyebrows and sigh a sigh of complete adoration for the character that Tom Hanks plays with an unquestionable amount of talent.
I think what i admired the most was the portrayal of the story. How the events came together in such a coincidental but natural way was undoubtedly unique. The film was executed in such a way that from the moment go I was rooting for Gump's every move. I wanted to be a part of his story, part of the pack of runners following him, but more than that, as sad as it sounds, i want to be his friend. Also, i think the stereotype is handled perfectly. 'Slow-witted boy recounts his life journey of excellence, much to his ignorance, to random strangers.' From the strangers on the bench's point of view, and i'm sure if we were in that position we would feel the exact same feeling of unease and uncertainty about being spoken to in such an open and acknowledged way. Yet Zemeckis' direction takes you away from this immediately. Automatically i wanted Tom Hanks to keep reeling off his story to me, by the end of the film i had become that old woman sat next to him on the bench, choosing to miss my bus and sobbing away at what a valuable and honourable person Forrest Gump was.
I do, however, wish that Jenny hadn't been painted in such a bad way. And by this is do not mean the drug or alcohol abuse, but once again Zemeckis implemented, a correct, but upsetting stereotype of 'pretty and popular school girl seeks a smarter and more substantial partner.' So me being the idealist, i wish that had been focussed on less. By this i mean it seemed at every opportunity Jenny was back with Forrest, she removed herself from the situation. And i understand that the aim of this was to portray the image of herself as poisonous and to show how loving Forest is, but by the end (spoiler approaching) i simply felt that the story became about Jenny needing support. She only invited Forest back into her life because he was the father to her child, and furthermore she only proposed to him because she was dying and needed to ensure her son's future. Now of course i wish this wasn't how i felt as i wanted to like Jenny, i wanted her and Forrest to be together yet i think this was hindered by too many instances of reunion and departure between herself and Forest that it just became unrealistic of their eventual togetherness.
Forest Gump was a strong contender for a perfect Sunday afternoon film, and i am glad and enlightened after watching it.
Here is the imdb link for Forrest Gump
Love and hugs... George x
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