Forrest Gump: Implausible But A Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (28 December 2011)

Forrest Gump is an epic comedy-drama romance film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom. It was directed by Robert Zemeckis and it stars Tom Hanks on the title role together Robin Wright and Gary Sinise.The supporting cast also include Sally Field as Mrs Gump,Mykelti Williamson and Haley Joel Osment.The screenplay by Eric Roth depicts several decades in the life of Forrest Gump, a native of Alabama who experiences firsthand, and contributes to, some of the defining events of the latter half of the 20th century while being largely unaware of their significance due to his below-average intelligence.
"Stupid is as stupid does," says Forrest Gump as he discusses his relative level of intelligence with a stranger while waiting for a bus. Despite his sub-normal IQ, Gump leads a truly charmed life, with a ringside seat for many of the most memorable events of the second half of the 20th century. Entirely without trying, Forrest teaches Elvis Presley to dance, becomes a football star, meets John F. Kennedy, serves with honor in Vietnam, meets Lyndon Johnson, speaks at an anti-war rally at the Washington Monument, hangs out with the Yippies, defeats the Chinese national team in table tennis, meets Richard Nixon, discovers the break-in at the Watergate, opens a profitable shrimping business, becomes an original investor in Apple Computers, and decides to run back and forth across the country for several years. Meanwhile, as the remarkable parade of his life goes by, Forrest never forgets Jenny, the girl he loved as a boy, who makes her own journey through the turbulence of the 1960s and 1970s that is far more troubled than the path Forrest happens upon.
This is a sentimental film with sweetness and charm are occasionally enough to approximate true depth and grace.Although Roth's screenplay may somewhat look implausible as it is a chronicle of the long journey taken by a slow-witted boy through American history and politics,it definitely would provide sympathy to any viewer watching this film.Tom Hanks rose to the occasion with his unforgettable performance as Forrest Gump by providing high-caliber performance. This film simply belongs in company of such sweet classics as Rain Man and Harvey for it is moving,compelling and simply wonderful.And most of all,it is truly a masterpiece.