D.J. Haza presents the next entry in his series of films to watch before you die…
Forrest Gump, 1994.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis.
Starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson, Sally Field and Haley Joel Osment.
Forrest Gump is the multi Oscar-winning epic comedy-drama romance based on Winston Groom’s novel of the same name. The story follows Forrest Gump (Hanks) from his time as a child in Alabama through his life until middle age as he witnesses, influences or is involved in some of the key moments of the 20th century.
Throughout Gump’s life he shows his affection for and is knocked back by his life long crush Jenny (Wright) and at several points through their life they meet and then Jenny leaves again. When they were children they played together and as they grew into adults their relationship becomes serious, but Jenny never accepts Gump’s love for her. Later in life Gump proposes to Jenny, and although she doesn’t accept they do sleep together. Some time later Gump receive a letter from Jenny, asking him to visit her where he finds he has a child with her and that she is dying.
Forrest Gump is a beautiful story of one man who seemingly had no hope, but managed to influence Elvis’ dancing, win a medal during the Vietnam War, play All-American Football, run a successful shrimping business, run coast to coast in the USA for over 3 years, inspire John Lennon and cause the Watergate scandal by reporting a burglary. The film has some fantastic themes and poignant moments as Gump achieves so much, but ultimately searches for his one true love – Jenny.
Forrest Gump is a film you must see before you die because it is fantastically woven story that touches all manner of important moments in American history throughout the 20th century, but nothing that quite compares to love.
D.J. Haza
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Originally published March 23, 2012. Updated April 10, 2018.
