Forrest Gump
★★★★★
I’ll admit it—I'm quite biased when it comes to Forrest Gump. It’s always held a special place in my heart, and I think it always will. To me, it represents the quintessential American film: a sweeping blend of history, pop culture and sentimentality. It doesn’t just revisit the iconic moments that shaped the 20th century—it captures the emotional undercurrent of what it felt like to live through the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.
It had been a while since I watched it, and I wondered if my admiration would fade with time. But if anything, it’s only grown.
In his Oscar-winning role, Tom Hanks brings Forrest Gump to life with warmth, humor and sincerity. Forrest—a man with a low IQ but a boundless heart—somehow finds himself at the center of nearly every major milestone in modern American history. From fighting in Vietnam to inadvertently inspiring major cultural trends, his journey is both unbelievable and profoundly human. But at the heart of the film is his unwavering love for his childhood friend, Jenny (Robin Wright), which anchors the story in something deeply personal.
As tall of a tale as it may be, you can’t help but get swept up in the magic. It’s funny, heartfelt and, yes, tear-jerking in all the right ways.
I often compare this film to a book you can’t put down. If it’s on TV, I have to stop and watch at least a few minutes—usually more. While I can be pretty cynical about life, Forrest Gump never fails to bring out the softie in me. Everything still holds up: the groundbreaking visual effects, the unforgettable characters (Lieutenant Dan! Bubba! Mama!), and that incredible soundtrack. It’s the rare crowd-pleaser that also retains its artistic soul. Zemeckis manages to create a stylish, technically impressive film that never distances itself from the audience. As the tagline promises, we truly see the world through Forrest’s eyes.
Most people have seen this movie at least once, but I hope it becomes one that audiences continue to rediscover, generation after generation—much like The Wizard of Oz or It’s a Wonderful Life. There’s still debate about whether Forrest Gump deserved to beat Pulp Fiction for Best Picture that year. Sure, it’s more mainstream, but Forrest Gump has a heart, scope and staying power that countless Oscar hopefuls have tried—and failed—to replicate ever since. Pulp Fiction may define a decade, but Forrest Gump defines an era of Hollywood itself.
