FORREST GUMP 🤩

In 1994, my son Aaron was a young 14-year-old teenager. Life was confusing and complicated in those early days of emotional highs and lows. We were both on the cusp of changes and a new direction. He was going into high school, and I was soon to remarry. Even his sister, Ilisa, was entering a new era as she prepared to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah. Our household and home life was churning. It felt like we were all no longer sure of our destinies. So many changes surrounded our every move. It often felt as if we were being propelled from one side to another, flitting here and there, never knowing where we would all land. 

At times, it seemed like we were a small feather flowing in the gentle breeze towards new beginnings. The image of a feather stayed with me and touched my soul deeply. I believe Aaron felt that pull, too, especially when we all went to the movies one night and watched the opening sequence of the fantastic film FORREST GUMP. At that moment, we were entranced, observing a simple, ordinary, white feather floating gracefully from a cloud to the busy street below and landing by chance on Forrest’s (Tom Hanks) shoe. All the while, the gentle musical notes from a piano lulled audiences into a hypnotic state of peace and contentment. It was mesmerizing and extraordinary.

 Are our everyday lives hanging by the whim of whichever way the wind blows? Do we have the power to mold, create, and bend our destinies as we wish them to be? Is it a combination of both a feather-like existence and the power to guide our life’s journey? I am still mulling over all these thoughts and theories even thirty years later, but I know that image and music affected my son. He came home, sat at our piano, and was determined to play the opening notes to this film. He didn’t want me to purchase the score. He wanted to find the correct tones from memory. And so he did… every day for months. He was successful in his quest, and I have a memory etched and cherished forever in my heart. I can still hear and see him as a young man sitting for hours, playing and searching. What a powerful film. What a surprising gift FORREST GUMP gave to so many. It was more than a mere box of chocolates. Every time we revisit Forrest sitting on his bench, we know we are witnessing astounding storytelling, special effects, and brilliant acting. 

Behind FORREST GUMP was the genius of director Robert Zemeckis. He was the one who gave wings to the original epic novel written by Winston Groom. Zemeckis made history within the film industry with his creative team, seamlessly mixing cast members with historical events. He projected images on the screen, and audiences were stunned with disbelief, wondering how he pulled that off. This is why FORREST GUMP received coveted Oscars for its excellent achievement in Best Special Effects, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Actor, Best Director, and, of course, Best Picture. Personally, I believe Alan Silvestri’s score should have also taken home the gold). The film has grossed over 600 million dollars. At one point, Zemeckis and Hanks gave up some of their salaries to come in under a budget of 55 million. They received percentage points instead. Tom Hanks later got a check for 70 million. Not a bad salary for a few months of work. 

The combination of Zemeckis and Hanks gave the green light to use Forrest’s unforgettable Southern accent. Hanks fashioned his voice patterns to copy the younger Forrest’s honest, natural twang. The studio execs didn’t think the public would believe and accept those unusual pitches, but it worked perfectly.  Audiences worldwide fell in love with Forrest’s, who had an IQ of only 75 and awkward leg braces. The day Forrest began to run changed his destiny forever. “Run, Forrest, run.” No one expected him to be a football player, a Vietnam Medal of Honor war hero, a Shrimp boat captain (Bubba Gump Shrimp Corporation), a national ping pong champion team player, a long-distance runner across America, and a multi-millionaire. Mama (Sally Field) always said, “You do the best you can with what God gave you.”

FORREST GUMP has an exceptional plot and contains richly filled, satisfying characters accompanying Forrest along his path. The chemistry between the loves of his life, first his mama and then the girl he knew since childhood, Jenny, played by Robin Wright, was profound. Forrest always said he might not be smart, but he knew what love is, and he succinctly expressed those feelings throughout their lives together. There were hard, meaningful, heart-breaking, and glorious times together which ended full circle. “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get.” 

Gary Sinise, as Lt. Dan, gave a masterful acting performance. He conveyed every emotion a former robust military career guy would feel when he lost his legs. Gary said in later interviews that this role affected him so much that he created a foundation for amputee Veterans. He is still active within this organization to this day. 

In the end, though, I have to give a standing O to Tom Hanks. His sensitive, authentic characterization of Forrest made this film. He understood the power of silent breaths, intense facial expressions, and hilarious physical comedy to help make each frame sheer perfection. Hanks knew this would only work if audiences could suspend their disbelief and allow themselves to be swept away in the details. It was a precise and prolific portrayal, even down to Hank’s quirky, weird running style. He said it was how his family ran and his brother, who often was his double on the football field. 

FORREST GUMP is an American classic odyssey that sincerely weaves throughout our real-life history. It takes audiences deep within the good and bad that happens to each and every one of us. It is whimsical yet punches and pulls our heartstrings. It is no wonder viewers rank FORREST GUMP higher than most critics do. Sometimes sentimentality is stronger and viscerally remembered. I know this is the case for me. My son is no longer a teen, but as I celebrate his birthday this week, I can close my eyes and see him sitting at our piano, dreaming and reaching for whatever stars are in his feathered destiny. Good times… a good man. 

FORREST GUMP is available on AMC.