Review of Forrest Gump (1994) by Thomas P — 09 Jun 2013
Entertaining and inspiring throughout, this movie's repercussions are still being felt today, even in the form of Bubba Gump's Restaurants.
Epic!
An impacting American phenomenon, with only general comments on bygone eras, yet still giving emotional resonance to events of those times.
A simple man with a complex story to tell that dips into fantasy as much as reality, taking on bits of history from the 60s to the 90s to lightly comment and give attention there without making any stand or statement - rather disconcerting for such an all encompassing story, but forgivable bc of the overall lightness and the grand, positive message of deep forgiveness and love conquering all.
It's a hard fought message tho - cathartic in its portrayals, especially for me in many instances. With Captain Dan railing against God thru a storm, and the deeper satisfaction found afterwards - a solid theme visited by many characters here and translated to us, the audience, as an offering of the way to inner peace thru such forgiveness -.
I found that a transcendent and revelatory theme.
Despite the craftsmanship of famous historical scenes being edited with Gump in them, I found these creative, but tedious when they should have been humorous. Simply hiccups in a solid film.
Throughout, I still was impressed by many elements of the story commenting on our American culture in those times.
The duality of the army culture vs the civilian culture, the high divorce rate and impending sadness of the 70s into the 80s, and Forrest taking up running to deal w the break up - all these were experienced by me and my family. I found that secretly cathartic, helping me see that it was not a singular experience to me, and that even this filmmaker understood it. Bravo Mr. Zemekis! You touch a soul here, and I'm grateful.
Another stirring scene was early in the film when Jenny revisits her dilapidated childhood home, and inadvertently revisits her dilapidated childhood, throwing rocks at the house as an emotional statement - brilliantly cathartic in its powerful, poetic imagery.
Despite some faults, it's a solid, powerful, emotional film well executed and resonant to its audience.
4 famous boxed chocolates out of 5.
This review of Forrest Gump (1994) was written by Thomas P on 09 Jun 2013.
Forrest Gump has generally received very positive reviews.
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