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Note: This piece of writing was part of an email. I was encouraged to revise it as a review of the movie Forrest Gump by a friend.
Forrest Gump was the most wonderful movie I have ever watched, not only for its story but also the techniques applied. It is hard for me to believe who has not seen it yet. I have seen the movie for several times. Each time I was touched and I felt to know more about Forrest. The more I watch it, the more I love it. I confess that I am a hopeless fan of Forrest Gump.
As a witness of American history, Forrest was involved in almost all the historical events and had been honorred to meet many celebrities and politicians. Through his eyes, people had a good opportunity to retrospect the development of American society in a different point of view. I’d rather call Forrest a simple man than a stupid one. His simplicity, honesty and persistence won him reputation, friendship, trustworthiness, wealth and love, which might be the most acrid satire to those pragmatists who believed he was too stupid to achieve anything.
Besides Forrest, his mother impressed me most. Undoubtedly, she was a wonderful mother with dignity, patience, witness and confidence. She had the ability to nurture and encourage his son by using easily-understood but amazinly true metaphors. Forrest had unshakable faith in his Mom, not only because she was his Mom, but also because her mutual confidence in him.
Regarding of the love between Forrest and Jenny, Forrest’s love was a comfort harbor to Jenny. He accepted her whenever she was back and never asked why she returned. I think Forrest did feel hurt when Jenny refused his love and proposal. However, this was Forrest, a simple and good-natured guy, who might strongly believe in and take action that love was giving rather than receiving. Jenny was his puppy love and his life-long love as well. Once he committed to this relationship deep in his heart, it would definitely be everlasting for him. Isn’t this loyalty one of the most prominent features of a "stupid one's" love? The most important thing Jenny told him was RUN, which turned out to be his motto in his life and led him to his incredible success. Isn't RUN one of the keys to success to everyone?
I would rather call this movie a comedy or a drama. Perhaps, many people would laugh at Forrest’s out of date innocence yet envy his good luck while watching it. However, the movie makes people think. For instance, is life itself complicated or people think it or make it too sophisticated? When a “stupid” man able to fulfill his goal, why many “intelligent” people fail to satisfy their life? Be simple and do whatever one is supposed to do. Maybe life is just like this.
I missed the school life, indeed, once wanted to be a faculty member as well; then, traped into busines world. Even now, I'm frequently being labeled with "academia style" as well. Fortunately, my job still let me use my brain. I enjoy creative activities, bored in repeating.
haha...I am such a nerd! I have not been out of school until now. So my blog has been inevitably labeled like a classroom. Welcome to join the discussion! :-)
Because of my limited vacabulary and limited knowledge of word usage, I am not sure if dignity is an accurate word to describe her. However, I did think she didn’t lose her dignity deep in her heart even if she had to give in the unfair exchange. Besides, remember when some old guys mocked Forrest’s ill-developed legs, she fought for him and told him that he was no difference from others. In my oppinion, here was another example to show her dignity.
Jenny, in my oppinion, was his friend in the first place. She was a dream girl, who liked trying everything new. She kept looking for her own love, and might be social position as well, for a long time. I do not think she had fell in love with Forrest until she eventually realized what love was or what kind of life she really wanted to lead. She was definetly an example of that era, when most of youth lost their minds and became rebellious to the sociaty in behavior for some reasons. It was like a nightmare to her, I guess. When she finally woke up and needed family support, she found her comfort harbor Forrest. Jenny’s love was very obscure. What impressed me most was Forrest’s unchangable love to her.
I agree with you that “the movie is an advocate of traditional value” and “Forrest Gump makes people laugh with tears”. Forrest was a simple man, who was supposed to be tranditional and just did whatever he was good at without overthinking other things.
Thank you so very much. I enjoy reading it and I learn a lot of good words and expressions there. I can’t resist copying it into my blog as a record without your permission.
Good writing! Have to agree with you but a couple of things might deserve a in-depth discussion.
The mom, one of the iconic images in the American film istory portrayed by Sally Field, has a directinfluence on Forrest Gump’s character. What Forrest is is what his mom wanted
him to be. No doubt the mom deserves recognition of many good virtues as you cited; but I am not sure "dignity" is one of them to properly describe her.Remember the scene that she has to bend herself when the school principle suggested a sex deal, in return to give Forrest a green-light to go to private school? What a sacrifice the mom made for her son!!! By doing do, the mom is as virtuous as she can be, but I am not so sure “dignity" can fit here.
The love story between Forrest and Jenny is actually an epitome of broader societal background back to 60’s~70's when the sex liberation was emerging and becoming dominant movement.People just let go of their self-consciousness and fall in love whoever they like and whenever is convenient, because mono-love was no longer fulfilling. In a way, Jenny in the movie is portrayed that way as a hippie type historically attached to the movement. Even though she keeps coming back to her very first,naive and nostalgia lover, Forrest; yet unfortunately she never got emotionally
satisfied by being with Forrest. What connects her and Forrest on the spiritual level is just that lingering, nebulous, dreamy childhood love….. that in the end
hopelessly becomes victimized by the prevailing social mentality of sex liberation.
All in all, I think the movie is an advocate of traditional value embodied by Forrest and others, an old fashioned American spirit, so to speak; in terms of which, the movie examines love, friendship and family. Those sideline stories are well-crafted between Forrest and Lt. Dan & “Bubba” for friendship; Forrest and Jenny for love; Forrest and his mom for family relationship.
As a dramedy, a new genre combining Drama & Comedy, Forrest Gump makes people laugh with tears. Watching the movie over and over, it reinforces me that nobody but Tom Hanks could pull this off; of course other cast did excellent job as well, especially Gary Sinise who won the Oscar for the role of Lt. Dan.
Thanks for the sharing!