The 1994 American comedy-drama starring Tom Hanks remains iconic to this day. Forrest Gump is one of the most quoted movies of all time. It has the most epic dialogues, including “Life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what you gonna get”. And we hear it loud and clear!
This movie is based on a book of the same name by Winston Groom. Its premise is basically about a dim-witted but kind-hearted boy named Forrest Gump. And his innocent perspective during some of the biggest historical events. Gump becomes part of the Vietnam War, Watergate Scandal, etc, and manages to surpass it unharmed.
Forrest Gump has won 6 Oscars and several Golden Globes and People’s choice and whatnot! It was the highest-grossing film of 1994, and the character Gump remains legendary. And that’s all I have to say about that. (if you know you know!)
Forrest Gump Filming Locations
Run Forrest Run! You should know Forrest has been running on the roads of South Carolina around Beaufort in the movie. Although the movie is based in Alabama, it was certainly not filmed there.
The iconic bench scene, where Hank’s character tells his story to strangers, was shot in Chippewa Square, Savannah. Apart from the live locations, much of the shoot happened on a designed set like the Forrest family’s boarding house.
Beautiful locations were included in the shooting of this movie. Linkin Memorial Reflecting Pool, Blue Ridge Parkway, Hunting Island State Park, to name a few. Remember the lighthouse in the cross borders? where Gump spent three and half years running back and forth. You see, that place exists. Forrest runs towards the Marshall Point Lighthouse located in Maine.
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More About The Plot and Cast.
Tom Hanks is America’s sweetheart, and people love him for his charming smile. No wonder his role as Gump got popular. Despite being a dim-witted character, Gump’s unique style of speaking got very popular in America. But also unbeatable as no one could do it better than Hanks himself. Apart from Hanks as Gump, it also starred Robin Wright as Jenny. Also, Gary Sinise, Sally Field, and Mykelti Willamson as Leiutenenent Dan, Mrs. Gump, and Bubba Blue, respectively.
Forrest Gump was a miserable kid, constantly being bullied. One day his only friend Jenny supports him against bullies, and that is when he starts running. Run Forrest, run! the famous phrase is spoken by none other than Jenny. Gump realizes his passion but loses touch with Jenny. And that leads to him searching for her for the rest of the film.
Now, running is everything for Gump, a famous dialogue from the movie goes,
“Now, you wouldn’t believe in me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows, from that day on, if I was going somewhere, I was running!”
Eventually, Gump reunites with jenny and has a son together. However, *spoiler alert* Jenny dies at the end, leaving Gump with her son alone. But Gump raises his son alone and the movie ends when he leaves his son for school. So, the end might be bittersweet but Gump’s journey is very wholesome to watch.
Is Forrest Gump a Bad Movie Today?
Like every other piece of work, this movie also has good and bad sides to it. Some critics suggest that Forrest Gump is pulling on one thread from two sides. On one hand, the character Forrest Gump emphasizes simplistic living. While on the other hand, it also promotes conservatism. Hank’s lovable naif’s simple living behind the background of major events. It is interesting how Gump manages to survive through everything without trying, you can call it plot armor!
Critics also point out that this movie is whitewashing American history. This means through a dimwit’s perspective throws a shade at America’s Hippy culture as well as political activism. It doesn’t focus much on the problems in America’s history and rather stays on the surface of it.
Nevertheless, this movie created history for American Cinema, so it’s all good. Another contribution by legendary director Robert Zemeckis. What does this movie do for you? And if you haven’t watched it yet, go do it now! Available on Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.
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