Flashback Review: Forrest Gump

In 1986, Winston Groom published a novel titled, Forrest Gump.” Set in the ’50s to early ’80s, it’s about a guy named, Forrest. He has a low IQ who goes on adventures, meets historical figures, becomes rich, enlists in the Vietnam War, inadvertently inspires others to come up with innovative ideas and tries to win the heart of his childhood sweetheart. Seven Years Later, Forrest Gump was adapted by Paramount Pictures starring Tom Hanks as the titular character.

Released in 1994, (same year The Lion King came out) the film received critical acclaim from critics and movie goers alike. Besides praise, it made enough money at the box office. Forrest Gump won Oscars including “Best Actor,” (Tom Hanks,) “Best Director,” (Robert Zemeckis) “Best Visual Effects” and ultimately took home “Best Picture.” Over the years, Forrest Gump became a pop culture phenomenon. In 2011, the Library of Congress selected the film in the National Film Registry.

Forrest Gump turns 30. Tom Hanks & Robin Wright will reunite in Robert Zemeckis’ upcoming film titled, “Here.” Before it comes out on November 15, 2024, I wanna share my thoughts on Forrest Gump. One more thing, Mr. Hanks will appear in Wes Anderson’s next film, “The Phoenician Scheme.”

It doesn’t matter if SPOILERS are listed. We’ve already seen Forrest Gump many times, often quote lines, referenced or parodied in other works.

Smart & Dull Qualities

Smart: Tom Hanks did an excellent job for his performance as the titular character.

Other Cast Members such as Robin Wright, Gary Sinise & Sally Field all did a decent job for their respective performances.

Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future Trilogy, Cast Away, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?) did a solid job directing.

Eric Roth (The Insider, Munich, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) wrote the script filled with memorable dialogue everybody quotes.

• Run Forrest Run!
• Stupid is as stupid does.
• That’s all I have to say about that.
• I was running!
• I gotta pee!
• I gotta find Bubba!
• Shrimp… (fill in the blank)
• Lt. Dan, ice cream!
• I love you Jenny.
• I think you should go back to Greenbow, Alabama! (my favorite line)
• I may not be a smart man, but I know what love is.
• Somebody turned off turned off the rain and the sun comes out.
• Ah! Something bit me!
• Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.

Alan Silvestri (Back to the Future Trilogy, The Avengers, Ready Player One) orchestrated the soundtrack.

Humor has plenty of legit funny moments. They’re not over-the-top like Jim Carrey’s three big comedies of 1994. “Dumb and Dumber,” “The Mask” & “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.”

Visual Effects digitally inserted Tom in historical footage meeting JFK, Lyndon B. Johnson & John Lennon. Meaning, Tom was filmed on a blue screen. Gary had his legs paint green allowing the effects team to digitally remove Lt. Dan’s legs. Speaking of John Lennon, he’s getting a biopic along with Paul McCartney, George Harrison & Ringo Starr. There’s a reason why it won an Oscar. So, I’m giving the effects team Bonus Points.

Cinematography was shot carefully lacking technical flaws.

Fun Fact 1: Before Tom signed on, other actors such as Bill Murray, John Travolta, Sean Penn & Chevy were considered for the lead role.

Fun Fact 2: Remember the part when Young Forrest met Elvis Presley? Tom went on to play Elvis’ manager in the 2022 biopic.

Fun Fact 3: Kurt Russell makes a cameo appearance as Elvis Presley. The former made his film debut as a kid in “It Happened at the World’s Fair.”  I’m not kidding, look up Kurt’s IMDb profile.

Fun Fact 4: Tom took a pay cut of his salary to cut back the film’s budget. When the film came out grossing $678 million, Tom made $40,000,000 after making a negation making a fraction of the film’s profits.

Fun Fact 5: Haley Joel Osment (Sora from Kingdom Hearts) makes his film debut as Forrest’s son.

“Fortune Son,” “For What’s It Worth,” “All Along the Watchtower” & “Sweet Home Alabama” are used in certain moments. They’re one of the most overused songs in movies/TV. I’ll let this con slide, because each one worked effectively.

Dull: After Forrest drank 15 Dr. Peppers, he burps, but his mouth doesn’t move.

I really find it difficult to take Forrest & Jenny’s chemistry seriously. Why? Because she’s one of the worst characters in cinematic history. I know Jenny had a rough childhood, but she’s not a good person. It’s hard to sympathize with Forrest’s love interest. She keeps leaving Forrest in favor of drugs, sleeps with random men, uses Forrest to get married and raise their kid before she died from AIDS. I find it difficult to take Forrest & Jenny’s chemistry seriously. Gonna have to Double Down this con for ruining a key factor in Forrest’s life. If you look up memes of Jenny, she’s labeled as the biggest villain alongside Darth Vader, Hannibal Lecter & Joker.

The Final Verdict: B-

I can’t believe I’m saying this, Forrest Gump’s average. Not on the same 10/10 level like “The Lion King” “Leon: The Professional” & “Pulp Fiction.” It’s a darn shame Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece didn’t win Best Picture. If you wanna introduce your friends to Forrest Gump, so be it.