Review of Forrest Gump (1994) by Jacqueline C — 30 May 2014

Forrest Gump is a love story, a comedy, and a drama all in one amazing and heartwarming movie that in my opinion will remain an ageless classic and one of the best movies of all times. Tom Hanks won an Oscar for best actor in his role as Forrest Gump and was able to bring life and believability to his character in a way that only he could do.

The storyline begins and ends with a symbolic feather floating endlessly to tell the story of the life of the simple and charming Forrest Gump. As Forrest revisits his childhood beginning in 1952 when he got leg braces put on which he referred to as his "magic legs" which leads him to hip dancing with a young Elvis Presley who later steals his moves and is televised doing the dance.

In 1961 Forrest goes to college and makes the All-American Team while playing football at the University of Alabama and he meets President John F. Kennedy. While he is in college the University becomes one of the first to be desegregated and Forrest makes an appearance on the news when he is shown picking up the books of one of the first black students to attend the school.

In 1966 Forrest enters the Vietnam War where he is awarded a medal of honor presented by President Johnson. The story continues through the 80's and includes many historical events in between. Film editing included live action film with actual footage from the white house to simulate Forrest at the white House, this was done in many scenes adding to the realness of the movie.

"Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get," a symbolic quote from the movie sends the message that regardless of the situations Forrest found himself in he stayed true and humble to his southern beginnings.