Forrest Gump is as fantastic as everyone says it is. It really is impressive that I find myself glued to the screen for two and a half hours and wish the movie just kept going.
Forrest Gump is a movie about a man who tells his life story to strangers at a bus stop. No one asked for it, but it is a great story. The film moves at a nice pace and ends at a good point. This is not surprising at all considering that the film is directed by Robert Zemeckis. Just look at Back to the Future, a movie in which not a moment is wasted. Unlike Back to the Future, Forrest Gump never received a sequel, well at least not as a movie.
There is a novel named Gump & Co that serves as a sequel to the movie and the book it was based on. I have not read it. I have not read the first book either. I heard Forrest becomes an astronaut. I also heard that the books are much darker in tone than the film. I am kind of afraid that the books are going to ruin my perception of Forrest.
Forrest Gump is a textbook example of an unreliable narrator and the movie is better for it. It adds to the film’s charm. Forrest is a simple man that does not know any better. He continues to mow lawns even after striking it rich by investing in a “fruit company”. This is his most believable moment in a long list of extremely impressive accomplishments. I want to believe everything he says. It just gives me hope about the future. If he can do these things, so can anyone. It makes me feel optimistic.
If there is anything that ruins the film’s optimism, it would be Forrest’s best friend, Jenny. Jenny is a terrible person. This is probably the direct result of her abusive childhood. Maybe it also has something to do with her trustworthy advice of running away from everything. I do not want to dwell on her character too much. Jenny is frustrating, but she does not ruin the movie.
Forrest Gump is a must see film. The story is fantastic. The special effects are impressive. The soundtrack is also a great starting point for anyone wanting to dive into 60s/70s music. At the moment, Forrest Gump can be found on Netflix and Amazon Prime Instant Video. There is no excuse not to watch it.
Laneous Missile 