And the Best Picture goes to....

When I watched “Forrest Gump” when it was originally released, I wasn’t too impressed.  I found it very over-the-top and far-fetched with the ping pong and his running back and forth across the country.  But when I watched it this time I saw it as the love story between Forrest and his childhood sweetheart, Jenny, and have a whole new outlook.

“Forrest Gump,” directed by Robert Zemeckis, weaves together elements of humor, romance, history, and tragedy. Adapted from Winston Groom’s novel, the film is told through the eyes of the main character, portrayed brilliantly by Tom Hanks. Hanks’s performance is nothing short of memorable and played with an innocence and simplicity that makes Forrest relatable and unforgettable.

The story takes place over several decades and follows Forrest from his childhood in Alabama as a boy with a low IQ, through significant moments in American history, including the Vietnam War and the civil rights movements.
 

It’s Forrest’s unconditional love for his childhood friend, Jenny, played by Robin Wright, that comes off as a subtle subplot. Wright’s portrayal captures Jenny’s struggles with topics such as abusive relationships and addiction, as she comes and goes from Forrest’s life.  It’s a relationship that is enduring and heartbreaking and should make you shed a few tears.

The film uses special effects that weave Forrest into real historical footage, which enhances the storytelling–we witness him meeting presidents and see him swept into a Vietnam peace rally.  But another of the film’s significant strengths lies in its soundtrack, which evokes nostalgia and helps lock down a timeline of the events depicted in the film.

In conclusion, “Forrest Gump” features unforgettable characters and does a beautiful job telling a compelling story.