Villaflores, Junnell A.

Labiano, Hannah Beatrix

Orsal, Lea T.

STEM 12-6 , Senior High School Department

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

FILM REVIEW: Forrest Gump

The movie Forrest Gump is a favorite past time American comedy-drama film released in
1994 and based on the 1986 novel by Winston Groom. It was directed by Robert Zemeckis and
written by Eric Roth. Tom Hanks played the role of Forrest Gump, a slow-learner but kind-hearted
man from Alabama who witnesses and, unwittingly, influences, several defining historical events
in the 20th century in the United States together with other film stars Robin Wright, Gary Sinise,
Mykelti Williamson, and Sally Field. The film won a multiple awards and nomination and gained
a commercial succes garnering a box office of $673.

The story begin with the opening scene of a floating feather which creates the light mood
of the viewers.Forest Gump talks about his life and the historic events that the nation endured to
anyone who comes off the bus sits on the bench next to him. Forrest is different physically and
mentally and had to wear leg braces as a little boy because of his back. He teased in school because
of his mental capacity who had an I.Q of 75 and was considered dumb. He befriend with a girl
name Jenny and has a special in his heart beside his mother who always say 'Life is like a box of
chocolates, you never know what you gonna get'. Throught his life he meet new people and become
successful in everything he does. Even though many might say forest was slow or stupid, he still
managed to finish college and become an all-star football player. He then goes to the army to fight
in Vietnam and becomes a war hero .He keep himself updated on Jenny' s life even though they
were not together. Forest became successful by starting a shrimp business and recruits lieutenant
Dan from the army to be his business partner and soon becomes a millionaire; however he was
still humble and living with his mother. Forest, though he is slow and encounter many people with
different personality, no one has taking advantage of him and turns everything good. He was never
involved with women socially nor sexually and is always have Jenny on his heart. Soon, her mother
died because of a cancer. Jenny returned to their neighborhood and make love with forrest but
leave after in the morning. They live seperately again but forrest was able to find jenny and marry
her. The movie end with the scene waiting for her son to come off from the school.
 The story begin to rise when he and jenny talking at the park, and has naughty boys come
and try to hurt him. Jenny speak loud 'Run forrest run!' so they didn't catch him. His braces
suddenly take off and start forrest to run fast and soon became successful in his ability. The climax
were found when he was sent to Vietnam and become a hero war because of saving many of his
friends who is killed and injured including Bubba, his bestfriend . Falling action when they
managed to return from the War and meet the President to receive his award, medal was given to
Jenny, He celebrate new year with lieutant Dan, go to Bubba's grave, buy a ship as he promise and
became a fisherman.

From the opening scene of the movie with a feather landed on random places before in
forrest's feet shows how random life can be, and how no one ever knows what lies in theirpath of
life, what obstacles they will have to overcome, and what their destiny is. The story tells that
hardships such as war, separation from the ones you love, terrorism, and bullying can bring your
self esteem, motivation, and even personality down to a lower level. We admire the character of
forrest for his optimism and perseverance because it can be difficult to stay strong and keep
progressing with the many misfortunes that can occur in our life. Forrest teach us to treat everyone
eqaully, cherish true friendships, expect the unexpected, believe in love put the past behind you,
work hard and to try something new.