Guest Blogger: Loretta R1

Forrest Gump is a movie based on the novel Forrest Gump by Winston Groom. The Movie shows the life of the naïve and slow minded but clever Forrest Gump; starting in his young years on a bus ride to school he begins telling his story. This movie portrays comedy, romance, and action. Throughout the movie he witnesses and influences many of the important events of the second half of the 20th Century. Tom Hanks takes the lead role in playing Forrest Gump, and he also narrates the story as well. While he actually acting, he really knows how to key into the simple and unintelligent personality of Forrest Gump. Robin Wright who plays jenny in the movie Forrest Gump, her performance in the film is very romantic and caring, and you can really feel the emotions that are portrayed in her roles. Gary Sinise is Forrest’s Commanding officer Dan Taylor when Forrest gets drafted into the war, Forrest helps save his life, and Dan falls into deep depression, but later on realizes life is precious and forgives Forrest. Gary didn’t make me feel his emotions, but he helped me understand Forrest Gump more, and his motivations. Mykelti Williamson plays the role of Bubba in the film, which is Forrest’s War buddy and he wore a lip attachment to create Bubba’s protruding lip. The last main Character is Forrest’s mother played by Sally Field, she does an amazing job of playing the motherly role for a special kid like Forrest. There are many themes to the Film Forrest Gump. The main theme is that you shouldn’t take life for granted and appreciate the littler things in life because you never know when it could be ripped right from you. Another theme would have to be that you should always follow your dreams, and to never listen to anyone if they are trying to let you down or tell you can’t do something. Forrest Gump was one of the biggest hits of the late 90s and early 2000s, and a critic Roger Erebert says that “And yet this is not a heartwarming story about a mentally retarded man. That cubbyhole is much too small and limiting for Forrest Gump.” I have to absolutely agree with roger because Forrest may be Mentally Challenged, but he uses each and every experience and learns from it, and is influenced by these experiences, and gains knowledge for his own life, and by that he influenced others. This movie is definitely worth your time and money. If you haven’t seen this movie already, check it out and see for yourself what an inspirational movie this is.