FORREST GUMP
A film review by Michael John Legeros
Copyright 1994 Michael John Legeros
Directed by Robert Zemeckis Written by Eric Roth, based on the novel by Winston Groom Cast Tom Hanks, Sally Field, Gary Sinese, Mykelti Williamson, and Robin Wright MPAA Rating "PG-13" (but *filled* with adult references, including drug use, sexual references, and profanity) Running Time 140 minutes
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"That boy sure is a runnin' fool."
- Citizen of Gump's hometown.
FORREST GUMP is a supremely entertaining triptych of American history, circa 1950 through 1980, as seen through the eyes of the slow-witted title character. From racial integration to Watergate, there stands Gump (Hanks). He never knows exactly what's going on, but his big heart and good intentions eventually make him a millionaire. He even meets three presidents, courtesy of ILM's gee-whiz special effects that place Tom Hanks in the middle of historical footage.
Think BEING THERE meets ZELIG as THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GUMP.
Forrest Gump, IQ of 75, resident of rural Alabama, was born into braces. Leg braces, that is. As the story opens, Forrest is being fitted to fix a back that's "as crooked as a politician." But Gump runs right out of those braces and once he starts running, he never stops. He runs through college on a football scholarship. He runs through Vietnam and is wounded in action. He even runs across country to become a folk hero.
The script, by Eric Roth from the Winston Groom novel, places Gump at the center of nearly every major event of the "baby boomer" era. He meets everyone, from Elvis Presley to Richard Nixon (The King to The Crook?), travels everywhere, and even invents the phrase best translated as "ka-ka occurs."
Where the fun comes is from hearing what Gump to has to say about all these things. His reactions are priceless--in Vietnam, he recalls "we were always looking for this guy, Charlie"--and add a wealth of honest humor to a rather humorless period of American history.
The anchor, the center, the thing-that-holds-this-film-together is Tom Hanks, giving a command performance in the title role. He draws upon that deadpan innocence from BIG and creates a character not too far-removed from the good-natured hayseeds that Andy Griffith played so well.
The small supporting cast includes Robin Wright and Sally Field, both perfunctory as Forrest's girlfriend and mother, respectively. Gary Sinese is quite good as Gump's war-buddy and later business partner. Best of the rest is Mykelti Williamson, playing a scene-stealing slow-mover who becomes Forrest's best friend.
FORREST GUMP *should* be as powerful as all get-out, but, instead, feels both vaguely empty and slightly sterile. The lack of emotional punch is probably due to the title character--who can feel a rollercoaster of emotions about a character who cannot?
Nor is FORREST GUMP as gritty as the story suggests. The Vietnam sequence is harrowing, no duh, but never *quite* crosses the line into complete believability. Still, what do you expect from the director of WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT and BACK TO THE FUTURE? Coppola he ain't, but who *other* than Zemeckis could choreograph so many diverse effects in one film?
For some, FORREST GUMP shall be the season's most effective (and only?) tear-jerker. Others may find themselves less affected, observing the events the same way as Forrest Gump does: without feeling much of anything. But watch out at Oscar time!
NOTE: Gripes to Paramount Pictures, for including too many key plot points in their trailer. What a shame.
BOTTOM LINE: FORREST GUMP is a supremely entertaining triptych of
American history, circa 1950 through 1980, as seen
through the eyes of the slow-witted title character.
You'll laugh, you might cry, and you'll love one of
the year's best performances from Tom Hanks.
Grade: A-
.
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