Forrest Gump was released on 6th July, 1994 (a year which I consider one of the best in recent history of the movies) across theatres in North America, the same year that saw the release of two other classics – The Shawshank Redemption and Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. Forrest Gump proved that it had long legs, just like its central character, both domestically and worldwide, earning a mighty $677 million. Such was the enormous success of the movie that it spawned a chain of restaurants (Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.) and a not exactly well received book sequel (Gump & Co.). And as for the awards, it swept almost every one of them from the Academy awards to the Golden Globes.
What amazes me always, is how Forrest Gump, a film dripped every inch in the American history and about their baby boomer generation with its very American colloquial manage to strike such a chord among cinema lovers worldwide, people who would even know who all those damn Presidents were that Gump met again, and again. And the answer isn’t something mysterious; it lies in the age-old rule: a remarkable yarn woven as remarkably. After all, aren’t movies all about telling a good story?
Like most cherished tales, Forrest Gump at its surface has a remarkable love story. Titanic, Before Sunrise, Roman Holiday take a break, this is the best romantic movie I’ve seen. Be it the stand-up-and-clap meeting of Forrest and Jenny in Washington or Forrest naming his shrimping boats “Jennys” or Forrest proposing to Jenny in that memorable sequence or Jenny finally proposing to Forrest, the film is laced with such magical moments throughout. But I guess that is just the top layer, or crest if I may say so of a work that has so much more depth and has so much more to say.
Remarkably profound, considering more so that it was PG-13, I always wonder in awe how smart this movie is. The amazing characters from Mrs. Gump (street smart) to Benjamin Buford Blue (sparkling clean) to Lieutenant Dan Taylor (honor, brave, principled) all have something remarkable in their outlook towards life.
But the most striking contrast to Forrest Gump (goodness) is provided by Jenny Curran (the dark). She has had not a single thing fall in place in her life; she represents the dark side of dreams and life.
What is remarkably understated is a sequence that gives a complete picture of Jenny. As she walks up to her house several years later, with Forrest, she throws her sandals and then stones at it. She utters-“How could you, how could you do this to me?” And she falls down, sobbing. Jenny sure had a dark life but she was herself to blame for it, neither her father nor the almighty. I guess that is where she realizes her mistake and sets out to take the reins of her messed up life
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And then there is Forrest Gump, his innocent journey through his country’s history and his uncanny knack of being at various significant moments of that history, a man who gets to be a football star, a Medal of Honor recipient, a business tycoon and a media sensation. All that with an I.Q. of 75? Might be he was been chosen by the almighty for him being so pure. Or might be he was just plain lucky, every time. Or maybe all you require is an I.Q. of 75, or maybe I.Q. itself is wrong. I don’t know and I don’t care.
What I care is the goodness, the optimism that shines around every corner of the movie. Life is beautiful, and this truth is spoken with more vigor than the movie by the same name. Most movies have beautiful imagery as a cosmetic addition. But Forrest Gump uses it for a purpose, to show the world through Forrest’s eyes and the beauty of it. The spectacular images that soak the screen when Forrest talks about his running days with Jenny are something that will never leave me. Those images could sure be seen elsewhere, but in Forrest Gump and at that moment, the effect is breathtaking. And the house in Greenbow, Alabama with all the greenery around could not have been a better setting for the narrative. Watch it in the night, alone and you’ll truly feel placed in a beautiful, make-belief world.
A rather insightful idea is conveyed between the conversation between Lieutenant Dan Taylor and Forrest.
Dan Taylor: Have you found Jesus yet, Gump?
Forrest: I didn’t know I was supposed to be looking for him, sir.
That answer, from a man with an intelligence quotient of 75 says it all. Goodness has nothing to do with looking for god.
Among its numerous remarkable aspects, one that I deem the best is its special effects (Academy award for Best Visual Effects, 1994). They aren’t glossy or for eye candy, they are a seamless component of a wonderful story. Isn’t that amazing how rarely you get to give that statement? But understandable considering a work as this is created rarely too.
The best part, the heart and soul of Forrest Gump is Tom Hanks, undeniably the greatest performance by an actor in a motion picture. What the poster says- “Tom Hanks is Forrest Gump” is one hundred per cent true. Tom Hanks brings so much depth to the character, yet playing it dumb that you can’t help but wonder about the great man’s talent. I’m still moved, to the brink of something I wouldn’t want to state explicitly, when he asks Jenny about little Forrest-“Is he smart or is he s…?” Silence.
I have not known any actor who could have pulled off that role, even of their aim was being 10% of Tom Hanks’ turn. This is neither method acting nor simple acting; this is magic from the great man. Little nuances when he proudly claims “how he can ride like the wind blows” is something that is the sole property of Tom Hanks. Take a bow; you’re the greatest actor I have ever seen.
The soundtrack is the garnish filled with numbers from Elvis Presley’s Hound Dog, to The Byrd’s Turn! Turn! Turn!. But the real soul lies in the original motion picture soundtrack by Alan Silvestri. Brilliantly evocative of the emotion, the score encompasses the film’s soul.
“Critics” and “experts” claim that the movie is shallow and its philosophy is artificial. They claim further that the other two classics that year should have won the Academy Award.
What I say is this; Forrest Gump is innovative in every which way possible but unlike other pretentious “great” movies it tells a very beautiful story. It aims so, so high yet manages to deliver on every count and rarely fails on any. And it goes about the narrative in the smartest, most humorous way possible. It sure does fall under Drama but it always keeps a smile on your face with quite fantastic quotes, quotes that as well might be a part of your conversation dictionary. Above all, it is a mighty touching fable, the likes of which have been seldom rendered on screen and I guess, never will be either. It just is impossible to make another Forrest Gump simply because it is impossible to weave such a magical cinematic tale.