By Sofia Chatila, Year 11
The movie Forrest Gump, directed by Robert Zemeckis, is the type of movie that remains in your mind and changes you, even after it ends. It narrates the moving story of someone who is not traditionally smart according to society’s standards, but who has an incredibly kind heart and a surprisingly adventurous life. This young man, Forrest Gump, is played by the Emmy-winning actor, Tom Hanks, who managed to portray an innocent, honest, and naive character throughout this movie.
One of the main things I appreciated about this movie was how it proved that being different and standing out is, in fact, not a bad thing. Although Forrest might not think the same way as everyone else, he ends up partaking in many fulfilling activities, such as participating in his college’s football team, fighting in the Vietnam War, running across the country, and even being the founder of a successful business. Throughout his journey, he is constantly being underestimated by his peers, but he proves them wrong and shows them that you don’t have to be a genius to achieve great things.
The quote: “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get,” is a phrase his mother constantly repeats to him, which keeps him going. This is a quote that rapidly became one of my favorite ones, as it is simple and true, and shares a basic but important life lesson.
Another important aspect of the movie is the relationship between Forrest and Jenny. Jenny is Forrest’s childhood friend, for whom he cares deeply. Throughout the movie, their lives go in completely different directions, which is sometimes frustrating because, as a viewer, you wish for Jenny to make better choices and for her to be happy. On one hand, Forrest ends up finding success, whilst Jenny struggles with many difficult situations. This movie makes you reflect on how people’s lives can be heavily impacted by their choices and the way they are brought up. Although Jenny continues to leave and come back, Forrest never stops loving her, which displays his permanent loyalty.
Forrest Gump equally has a lot of emotional moments. There are many funny scenes, such as when Forrest accidentally becomes a ping-pong champion, but there are an equal number of serious moments, like the scenes in the Vietnam War and when Forrest and Jenny are faced with a few personal challenges.
In addition to this, the soundtrack helps add more depth to the movie and is well thought-out, as there is music from different decades that match the time periods of Forrest’s experiences.
Overall, Forrest Gump is a movie that combines history, humor, and much emotion. It teaches lessons about love, patience, and the importance of believing in yourself even when others doubt you. I think the movie is meaningful because it demonstrates that everyone’s journey is unique and that everyone’s personal success will appear differently. I would definitely recommend it, especially to those who enjoy movies that make you reflect deeply afterwards.
