Every week, we in Her.ie towers will provide you with a blast from the past, a film that you cannot live without but nor should you, the classic film that you simply need to watch.
This week, given that it turned 20 earlier on this year, we thought we would take a look at the exceptionally brilliant Forrest Gump.
Forrest Gump became a huge success for Paramount when it was released on the 23rd June 1994. Earning more than 677 million at the box office, the film not only played to audiences who just adored it, it won over the critics who couldn't help but love Forrest. The film went on to win a deserved five Academy Awards for Best Actor for Tom Hanks brilliant performance, Best Director for Robert Zemeckis, Best Visual Effects, Best Editing and Best Adapted Screenplay. Forrest Gump is just one of those films that manages to look as good now as the day it was released.
The film revolves around the character of Forrest, who, although a little slow, lives a life many would be enviable of. With the support of his mother, Forrest is always encouraged and his path takes some unlikely turns. Hopelessly in love with his neighbour and friend Jenny, Forrest finds himself in some very random and frightening situations over the years, serving in Vietnam, meeting JFK and opening up his own shrimp industry in memory of his friend.
However, the real beauty of Forrest Gump is that the film displayed more heart than you could ever imagine on the big screen. Hanks, often described by Spielberg as "the most memorable, forgettable man in Hollywood" is startling brilliant as the lovable, endearing and loyal Forrest. Robin Wright, who plays the love interest Jenny is his perfect companion, although their relationship creates a lot of trouble and heartbreak for Forrest while Sally Field is a mother who would do anything for her son. Her death in Forrest Gump still stays with us.
On top of that, you can never take away how iconic Forrest Gump has become. Everyone is aware of the "Run, Forrest, Run" catchphrase while quite a few would be able to quote large sections of the script. It wormed its way into peoples' hearts and it never really left.
If you could manage to sit on a park bench with Forrest Gump and not shed a tear, we salute you. You are stronger than any of us.
