Hello Everyone! Hope you all are doing great.
I recently watched Forrest Gump and honestly I don't know why I waited so long to sit down and watch this movie. I heard the name a lot before as well as I knew Tom Hanks played the main character but knowing a movie is famous and actually watching it are two completely different things.
After finishing it, I can understand why this movie has remained so loved for so many years.
Forrest Gump is one of those movies that seem simple when you first hear about it but there is a lot going on underneath. It is funny, emotional, romantic, sometimes sad, thoughtful. It moves between these emotions. It does it without feeling forced.
Do not worry, this review will be completely spoiler free.
The movie follows Forrest Gump, played by Tom Hanks, as he looks back on his life and tells his story to the people he meets while waiting at a bus stop.
What a life it is.
Forrest isn't presented as a genius or extraordinary person in the traditional sense. He's a simple innocent man who sees the field differently from everyone around him.
That is probably one of the things I liked most about the character.
Forrest doesn't spend his life trying to become famous or prove himself to other people, and he does what feels right to him, I guess. He loves the people close to him. He tries to help when he can. He ends up experiencing some of the biggest moments of his lifetime.
There is something really wholesome about that.
He doesn't always understand the complicated motivations of other people, but he understands kindness, loyalty and love in a very straightforward way.
And that's why it feels easy to care about him.
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Tom Hanks is fantastic in this movie.
I have watched quite a few Tom Hanks movies over the years, but I think this is one of those performances where you completely forget that you are watching an actor.
Forrest feels like a real person.
His way of speaking, expressions, reactions to situations and how he looks at others make the character feel real.
What's interesting is that Forrest could've easily become an annoying character if the performance wasn't done properly but Tom Hanks makes him very likeable.
He is funny without trying to be funny.
He shows emotion without constantly trying to make you cry.
As well as most importantly, he does not seem fake.
It is one of those performances where you can tell why it became iconic.
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Another thing that surprised me was how much history is included in the movie.
Forrest Gump takes place across several decades and places Forrest in the middle of many important events in American history.
I will not mention what happens because those moments are part of the fun of watching the movie for the first time.
But I really enjoyed the way the film mixes Forrest's personal story with real historical events.
You're watching history through someone who doesn't see its importance.
That gives the movie a very unique feeling.
So there are moments where you're watching something that feels really unbelievable and then you realize that this is supposed to be Forrest's life and somehow he keeps ending up in situations that are way bigger than him.
The visual effects were also surprisingly impressive for a 1994 movie.
So some of the scenes where Forrest meets historical figures are clever, and knowing how old the movie is makes those effects impressive.
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The relationship between Forrest and Jenny is a main part of the movie.
Jenny is a more complicated character than Forrest and I thought that contrast worked well.
Forrest sees Jenny in a way that is simple he cares about her deeply, does not constantly judge her decisions.
Jenny, on the other hand, is trying to figure out what she wants from life and, where she belongs.
Their relationship is not perfect, which made it feel more believable.
So I felt frustrated with some characters but that's normal in addition to if every character behaved perfectly the story wouldn't feel as human.
The movie shows that people can love each other, still make mistakes.
Sometimes life does not go the way we want.
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One of my favorite things about Forrest Gump is its sense of humor.
This isn't a movie that is trying to be a comedy, but there are so many funny moments.
The humor comes from Forrest being himself.
He says things honestly without trying to impress anyone, and sometimes his straightforward way of thinking creates humorous situations.
I laughed a lot while watching it.
But then, without much warning, the movie can become emotional.
That's likely where Forrest Gump gets to you.
You can laugh at something one minute as well as then, a few minutes later, feel sad or emotional.
The movie doesn't focus on just one emotion.
It keeps changing.
And, it works.
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The music is a big part of the experience.
The soundtrack is filled with songs that fit the different periods of Forrest's life, and, it really helps establish the feeling of each era.
Even though I am watching the movie decades after it came out, the music makes it feel like you are travelling through time with Forrest.
I also really liked the cinematography.
So the movie has a warm nostalgic look, the scenes feel peaceful even when the story deals with something serious.
There are also outdoor shots, and the movie knows when to slow down and let a moment exist.
It does not always require dramatic dialogue.
A look or a quiet scene can be enough.
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Of course, Forrest Gump isn't perfect.
So the movie feels too sentimental in parts and some situations are so unlikely you just have to accept its logic & go with it.
I think realism is not the main point.
It's more like a story about how unpredictable life can be.
You can make plans, but life can still take you somewhere completely different.
Sometimes you succeed.
Sometimes you don't succeed.
Sometimes you meet people that change your life.
And, sometimes people leave.
That's what I think the movie is really about.
So life does not always make sense, and Forrest does not spend his time trying to understand every little thing, but he just keeps moving forward.
There is something very comforting about that message.
I also really liked how the movie treats success.
Forrest achieves many things in his life but he never seems obsessed with being successful.
He does not compare himself to others.
He doesn't seem interested in showing off.
He simply does what he does.
And, somehow, that makes his achievements feel even more special.
The field of where people compare their lives with others, watching a character who does not participate in that comparison is refreshing.
He lives.
And maybe that's the biggest lesson I took from the movie.
You do not need to understand everything.
You do not need to plan your entire life.
Sometimes you just need to keep going and appreciate the people and moments that matter to you.
After watching Forrest Gump, I can definitely understand why it's considered one of the classic movies.
It has a strong lead performance, supporting characters, music, cinematography, and a story that is both simple as well as deep.
But I think the biggest reason it works is Forrest himself.
He is not perfect.
He's not trying to be a hero.
He's Forrest.
As well as somehow, watching his life unfold makes you laugh, smile, feel frustrated and, eventually become a little emotional.
I do not think this movie is for everyone, and if you like movies that stay fast with constant action then this probably will not be your thing.
If you like character driven movies, emotional stories, and, films that make you think about life after the credits, I recommend it.
For me, Forrest Gump was one of those movies where I finished watching and just sat there for a few minutes thinking about it.
That's always a good sign.
A beautiful, funny and emotional movie that somehow manages to make a very big story feel incredibly personal.
I’m glad I finally watched it.
Anyway thats it for this post. Please do give your reviews in the comments section below. I would really appreciate it :)
I'll be back with another one soon. So do follow me if you want to stay updated. Till then, Stay Happy and Stay Hydrated.
Rating: 77/100
