Review of Forrest Gump (1994) by Norman F — 28 Jul 2014
Few movies do it all like this. It is remarkably funny, but also has contrasting moments of impactful sadness. There is a heartwarming tenderness but it still encourages reflection of our culture and history.
Trying to do all of this may seem overly ambitious, but it is impressive how seamless and effortless all of these emotions come together in one great package. The story and the characters are highly original.
Tom Hanks is amazingly lovable as a simple man with an extremely low IQ. He does not take it so far that his character is not relatable, nor does he undersell his differences. The mental simplicity of the character gives him a unique view of the world, one that is less cynical.
He has an alluring innocence to him that brings out best in humanity. Forrest knows right and wrong, works hard, and loves people unconditionally. It is a remarkable character, but it is an extremely hard acting balance to achieve.
Hanks does it better than anyone else could, and it is his finest performance of his prestigious career. The incredible story summarizes this man's life in a series of flashbacks, and it covers an amazing amount of ground, both historically and emotionally.
The direction is solid as well. Each period feels right; I particularly like inserting Hanks into actual historical footage. More importantly, it connects the audience emotionally to the characters and to his journey through life.
This is an excellent movie in every aspect and it is one of the all-time greats.
This review of Forrest Gump (1994) was written by Norman F on 28 Jul 2014.
Forrest Gump has generally received very positive reviews.
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