Review of Forrest Gump (1994) by Jeff B — 09 Sep 2014

An at times overly sentimental favorite that just keeps running, Forrest, running, Gump & Company still says very little but nevertheless maintains its aw shucks charm and history-retelling whimsy in the post-9/11 age. Though the film panders too much to a Disney-fied sense of nostalgia and romanticism, there's no denying the compelling decades spanning narrative, murky message and all. Yes, Forrest Gump proves childlike and syrupy, but so does the title character, which all involved knew all too well and played to the hilt. What this collective gets wrong, however, is in insisting that the film is weightier than it actually is. There appears to be a heavy-handedness but where does it lead the audience? To the fact that ignoring the harsh realities of life paints a dishonest historical portrait? Regardless, it's an intriguing concept that's beautifully presented and amazingly acted. Ridiculously ambitious, this often offbeat but always entertaining gem mostly hits the mark. At times, Groom's story as adapted by Eric Roth seems like a blue collar Zelig. Woody Allen's 1982 mockumentary at least ruminated on individuality and American ideals amid the historic cameos.

In this 20th anniversary re-release of the Oscar winning PG-13-rated dramedy based on Winston Grooms celebrated novel, simpleton Forrest Gump (Hanks) accidentally finds himself present at many historic moments while searching for his true love, Jenny (Robin Wright).

Having crafted Back to the Future into the almost quintessential time travel classic and Who Framed Roger Rabbit? into the greatest live action-animation mash-up ever, Robert Zemekis handles the epic scope and monumental scale special effects (still quite effective, mind) with a strong but ingeniously creative hand. Sure, he creates an easy-to-swallow feel-good pill but - without a suitable actor to play the main man - this would all be for naught. Thankfully, Tom Hanks gives a nuanced performance of a very simple man. When he finds out that he has a son and tears up in asking if the boy is as 'slow' as his father, the result proves heartbreaking, heart-tugging, and heart-soaring in just mere words. It's a masterful turn, perfectly played such that any impressionable qualities get overshadowed but his eternal heart and optimism. Corny? Yes. Forgettable? Not a chance.

Bottom line: Super is as Super does.