Guest blogger: Lauren 1

I have never seen a movie quite like Forrest Gump. The story is told by the main character, Forrest Gump, a boy in the 1950’s through the 1980’s with a below average IQ level who sees everything for what it is. Starting out in Greenbow, Alabama, Forrest takes you through many of the, as Roger Ebert says, “landmarks of recent cultural history,” from the Vietnam War, desegregation of schools, and the Watergate scandal. Along the way there are many brushes with Forrest’s childhood love, Jenny, who is always on his mind and constantly motivation for him as he embarks on his adventures. Because Forrest is below average intelligence wise, he never over analyzes anything or passes judgment, he just does exactly what is knows. The major theme of Forrest Gump is for people to understand what is important in life. Forrest is graced with many opportunities to have the life that every one dreams of but he always stays true to the things he knows and promises, never getting a “big head.” I could not imagine anyone other than Tom Hanks playing the role of Forrest. He does an amazing job and I would not change a thing about his performance. Critics like Roger Ebert agree, “I can't think of anyone else as Gump, after seeing how Hanks makes him into a person so dignified, so straight-ahead. The performance is a breathtaking balancing act between comedy and sadness, in a story rich in big laughs and quiet truths.” Overall I could not recommend this movie more. It has forever been my favorite movie, every time I watch it I am always finding little historical connections that I missed previously. Forrest Gump is well worth the your money and your time, (at about two and a half hours) it is sure to be a favorite.