“Life is like a box of
chocolates…”
Fresh off the success of his immensely popular BACK TO THE
FUTURE trilogy of films, director Robert Zemeckis FORREST GUMP was loosely based
on Winston Groom’s novel. The story unfolds several decades in the life of
Forrest Gump, a dim-witted and somewhat slow native of Alabama, who witnesses
and sometimes accidently influences some of the defining moments in the latter
half of the 20th century.
The role of Forrest, who despite a slow IQ was athletically superior
and fiercely loyal to the people he loved, was first considered to be filled by
John Travolta and Bill Murray. The role went to Tom Hanks, who at the time of
the film’s release was the reigning Oscar winner for Best Actor; having won the
previous year for his role in PHILADELPHIA. The rest of the excellent cast was
rounded out by Gary Sinise, Robin Wright, Sally Field, Mykelti Williamson, and
a very young Haley Joel Osment.
Director Robert Zemeckis shot the film in and around
authentic locations, and by using the most-excellent services of Industrial
Light and Magic, was able to create the eye-popping and landmark visuals of
Hanks’ character interacting with famous figures in history. A comprehensive soundtrack
of pop and rock hits helped to pinpoint specific time periods throughout the
film, and Alan Silvestri added a touching score.
The film was a major success. FORREST GUMP would earn over
$677 million worldwide during its theatrical run, and would eventually win Best
Picture at the Oscars…along with Best Director, Best Visual Effects, Best
Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. As icing on the cake, Tom Hanks
would win his second consecutive Best Actor award; becoming only the second
actor at the time to accomplish the feat. The film would be selected by the
Library of Congress in 2011 for preservation in the United States Film
Registry, and it appears on many of the American Film Institutes’ Top Lists. As
a film saturated in American culture of the past, FORREST GUMP would ironically
become a part of pop culture…eventually inspiring a themed restaurant (Bubba
Gump Shrimp Company) which would eventually expand to multiple worldwide
locations. The soundtrack of rock and pop hits would eventually become one of
the top selling albums in the United States.
*
There are a lot of
elements to admire about FORREST GUMP; so many to choose from that it is no
wonder that the film is able to reach so many people. The look at history, the
music, the technological innovations…for starters. But what really makes the
film succeed is that the life story of Forrest Gump, as told on film, unspools
like a folk hero out of legend; the type of stories that you tell your children
to learn them a lesson or two about life. FORREST GUMP is heavy on the nostalgia,
but it is also heavy on heart, which brings us one of the most endearing
characters in cinema history.
“…You never know what
you’re gonna get”.
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