The 1994 film Forrest Gump, directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks as the titular character, uses its main character's intellectual deficit as a means of highlighting other people's various bigotries and assumptions, against the backdrop of twentieth-century American history. However, the film also presents a problematic view of certain elements in this history, especially relating to race relations in the South, such that one must consider the film's sometimes rosy view of discrimination with a critical eye. While the movie may be celebrated for the way in which its titular character rises above the cultural prejudices of his time, one cannot review it without simultaneously considering the ways in which the film as a whole sometimes serves to paper over contentious portions of American history in the service of telling an enjoyable story. Therefore, while this review largely considers Forrest Gump a success in terms of characterization and plot, the film falls short of its mark due to its problematic treatment of black history in the South. In many ways, the central successes and failures of Forrest Gump revolve around a theme that does not get stated explicitly until well into the movie, after Gump has achieved most of his notable accomplishments. "The morning after Forrest Gump loses his virginity and begets the son who will carry on his name," he decides to deal with his sense of loss by taking "off on a run that will not end until he has traversed the
The movie Forrest Gump tells the story of one man’s extraordinary life as he also participates in many of the key historical points of the latter half of the 20th century. The theme of rationalization is seen throughout this movie, because it has become such a big part of the American culture. Forrest stands out from the world around him, so he doesn’t usually conform to the pattern of rationalization himself, but he experiences it none the less.
Forrest Gump is an All American, fan favorite, award-winning film directed by Robert Zemeckis that was released on July 6, 1994. Tom Hanks stars as the main character, Forrest Gump. The award-winning movie’s genre is best described as an epic romantic comedy drama. Many rhetorical appeals such as ethos, pathos, and logos are made throughout the entire movie. Pathos is used the most effecting the audiences’ emotions from beginning to end. The film is based on Forrest Gump’s life, in which he narrated as a historical story throughout the movie. Forrest Gump was born and raised in Greenbow, Alabama by his single mother. Forrest was mentally and physically handicapped. He had to wear medal braces on both of his legs. He also faced many
The movie Forrest Gump played by Tom Hank is a story about Forest Gump a simple man and his journey through life. Gump was simple minded and lived his life by a set of values taught to him by his mother (Sally Field). While Forest sat down waiting for a bus, he tells his story. Forest takes part in several defining historical moments such as the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal and also had painful experiences. Despite his setbacks and naive nature, he struggles and triumphs in everything he did. Forrest developed a good self-esteem and self-concept with the help of his mother’s observation, love, and sincerity. With his mother and Jenny’s encouragements, he was able to overcome his physical handicap and become an outstanding runner among other things. This movie is an example of the how a child’s mind developed through series of stages. This paper shows the following key points; intellectual disability, Erickson’s intimacy vs isolation, low self-esteem, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Looking back at all of these points, it is easy to see how the movie “Forrest Gump” demonstrated what life was like in the heart of the south and in the Vietnam war. The movie depicted many obstacles that Forrest had to overcome, who always seemed to look on brighter side. This film also portrayed three significant events: the civil rights movement, the Vietnam war, and the anti-war movement. All of these events played a crucial role in the film, and they also played an important role in our American
In the movie, Forrest Gump, Tom Hanks plays an intellectually handicapped man named Forrest Gump from Greenbow, Alabama. The majority of the movie took place through his recounting of his memories from early childhood all the way up to his current age. This paper looks at Forrest’s ability to communicate, his diligence in a relationship, ability to cope, and his self-perception.
What is sociological imagination? Our textbook describes sociological imagination as the ability to see our private experiences, personal difficulties, and achievements as, in part, a reflection of the structural arrangements of society and the times in which we live. The movie entitled Forrest Gump is a great example of sociological imagination. In this paper, I will cite examples from the movie and tell how they correlate with sociological imagination. Sociological imagination allows us examine the events of our lives and see how they intersect with the wider context of history and tradition of the society
Forrest Gump is one of the greatest movies of all time. It brings together many of the most relevant themes and controversial subjects in modern society. Including some of the most difficult subjects such as; discrimination, racism, war, hardcore drug use, mental trauma, as well as a disease epidemic.
This film is the story of a man’s journey through life and his innocent reflections on what living is all about. However entangled he became with the aspects of his life; he is able to survive through his simplicity. This innocence, which comes from a limited understanding of the world around him, gives Gump a uniquely positive perspective of life. Despite the overwhelming conflicts that existed during the time period in which Forrest lived, he continues to seek the best of all worlds in the worst of all possible times. Some might argue that this movie was merely a mocking of the past with no true sentiments. However incorrectly this movie did portray the past, it did not do so without some bigger purpose. The film is evidently connected to society’s tremendous national yearning for innocence. Moreover, the movie criticizes society for their inability to deal with complicated issues individually, especially when it sheds an unflattering truth. This is strongly conveyed in one specific scene in which Forrest is standing on a podium in Washington D.C., just coming back from the Vietnam War, and addresses the thousands of people in the audience. Interestingly, he gives an entire speech and no one hears any of it, yet they all applaud. While the entire audience is celebrating for no
Watching Forrest Gump for the first time I feel that the movie has a little of everything in it, from action and war to love and romance. For one man to overcome so many hardships and live a life full of love and happiness it is inspiring. Each character had something that reached viewers. From Jenny to Lieutenant Dan they all had something that made them easy to connect with. Even the people that sat on the bench next to Forrest created interest; they listened and were in the story for us, but were not truly part of it.
In the film Forrest Gump directed by Robert Zemeckis one of the most inspirational movie characters ever was born, Forrest Gump. Forrest symbolizes the way we wish to deal with the problems we face throughout the course of our lives, and how we would go about solving them if the Universe was on our side. Forrest had 3 essential qualities to separate himself from others. Honesty, integrity, and compassion; if you have these 3 qualities as Forrest did, life will seem to work out for the best. Making it easier to find true happiness.
“Life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what you’re going to get” (Hanks). Many times when books are changed into movies they are done incorrectly. Forrest Gump is one of these examples. Forrest Gump, the novel, was written in 1986 by the author Winston Groom. The movie Forrest Gump was created by Paramount Pictures in 1994. Tom Hanks stars as the main character Forrest Gump. The movie portrayed Forrest Gump in a different way and as sometimes more innocent than his character in the book. This is shown in three different ways: Jenny and Forrest’s relationship, Characters’ drug use, and in the book Forrest is involved in more activities and adventures.
Forrest is born to an Alabama boardinghouse Owner (Sally Field) who tries to correct his posture by making him wear braces, but who never criticizes his mind. When Forrest is called "stupid," his mother tells him, "Stupid is as stupid does," and Forrest turns out to be incapable of doing anything less than profound. Also, when the braces finally fall from his legs, it turns out he can run like the wind. That's how he gets a college football scholarship, in a life story that eventually becomes
Forrest Gump is a complex and interesting lead character and provides a unique contrast to typical early adulthood behavior. In the film, from the time he attends college, towards the end of the film where he begins his role as a father, Forrest goes through normal events that occur in the lives of many young adults. His reaction and development is different from most however, and he goes through interesting events and experiences. This contrast between typical life events and a slower than normal development shows that some expectations about cognitive abilities may not be as important. Even those who are considered "slow" by the mainstream population can be successful and live a life full of typical life events that fall within a typical
Assignment #3 Question #3 Film Analysis: Forrest Gump 1994 Forrest Gump has always been a top classic movie of all times in my own opinion. This movie from a social-psychological perspective has many different aspects of behaviors and events that can be linked to human interactions. Forrest Gump had many social perspectives; he was an obedient person, who had no fear on deindividuation, his influence by others, his own self-awareness and that of others. Overview: Forrest is your all American boy.
Sometimes some people come into our lives and they become so incredibly important. We tend to see the good in them however they don’t always see the same when they look in the mirror. This is exactly what happens with the character of Jenny Curran in the movie Forrest Gump. Jenny is very important to Forrest but she struggles her whole life with coming to terms with who she is after suffering years of abuse from her father. She spends her life running from her problems, but in the scene when Forrest is running he recalls his mom telling him that in order to move on he has to leave his past behind him and we ultimately see this with Jenny when she becomes a mom.