The presidencies of Kennedy and Johnson, the events of Vietnam, Watergate and other historical events unfold through the perspective of an Alabama man with an IQ of 75, whose only desire is to be reunited with his childhood sweetheart.
Tom Hanks may have won an Oscar for his role in Forrest Gump, but the part almost went to an "SNL" star. Which other A-listers were up for the legendary role?
Forrest Gump is a simple man with a low I.Q. but good intentions. He is running through childhood with his best and only friend Jenny. His 'mama' teaches him the ways of life and leaves him to choose his destiny. Forrest joins the army for service in Vietnam, finding new friends called Dan and Bubba, he wins medals, creates a famous shrimp fishing fleet, inspires people to jog, starts a ping-pong craze, creates the smiley, writes bumper stickers and songs, donates to people and meets the president several times. However, this is all irrelevant to Forrest who can only think of his childhood sweetheart Jenny Curran, who has messed up her life. Although in the end all he wants to prove is that anyone can love anyone.Written by
aliw135
The fastest grossing Paramount film to pass the $100 million, $150 million, and $200 million marks (as of February 2008). See more »
Goofs
When SGT Forrest Gump receives his LOD (Letter of Discharge), he is only wearing five ribbons - Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Medal, but is missing the ribbon device for the Medal of Honor for which he was awarded by President Lyndon B. Johnson There is a ribbon as well as the neck medal for the Medal of Honor. His ribbon rack is missing the MOH ribbon. See more »
Quotes
[first lines]
Forrest Gump:
Hello. My name's Forrest, Forrest Gump. You want a chocolate?
See more »
Alternate Versions
On the Nine Network, the channel alters scenes to avoid an M rating.
Jenny contemplating over suicide while standing on the top of a roof is shortened
The Vietnam battle scene is shortened due to violence
Jenny snorting drugs in a club is cut, instead showing Jenny talking to people at a table
I remember John Byner, the stand-up comic and impressionist of the 1970s talking about guys crying at movies, how it's not an acceptable behavior. He advised the men in his audience to drop their keys, do something that gets them to lean forward, wipe their faces, and get things under control.
I dropped my keys watching Forrest Gump. Lieutenant Dan comes over the hill at Forrest and Jenny's wedding, new legs, fiancé at his side, clean-cut and happy.
Forrest states the obvious, "Lieutenant Dan, you gawt le-eggs!"
And the water-works just started to flow.
I sit up straight and clear my throat. Got 'em (the keys, that is). My wife leans over and gives me a kiss. She says, "That's why I love you."
Other than a few historical fussinesses and plot slickeries, none of which are worth mentioning, this is as close to a perfect, emotionally-satisfying entertainment as I have ever seen.
I love this movie. I never tire of the simple story of the guy with the lowest IQ in the room being the smartest guy in the room. It's filled with a patriotic decency you can only find in The Wizard of Oz and To Kill a Mockingbird.
When Dorothy is aching for home and the Wizard can't deliver, I drop my keys. When Scout points to the man behind Jem's bedroom door and says, "Hey, Boo," the fob goes flying.
The next time I get out my copy to show to my 11th Grade US History kids, I'll start fingering my key chain.
I can't help it.
49 of 67 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful to you?
| Report this
I remember John Byner, the stand-up comic and impressionist of the 1970s talking about guys crying at movies, how it's not an acceptable behavior. He advised the men in his audience to drop their keys, do something that gets them to lean forward, wipe their faces, and get things under control.
I dropped my keys watching Forrest Gump. Lieutenant Dan comes over the hill at Forrest and Jenny's wedding, new legs, fiancé at his side, clean-cut and happy.
Forrest states the obvious, "Lieutenant Dan, you gawt le-eggs!"
And the water-works just started to flow.
I sit up straight and clear my throat. Got 'em (the keys, that is). My wife leans over and gives me a kiss. She says, "That's why I love you."
Other than a few historical fussinesses and plot slickeries, none of which are worth mentioning, this is as close to a perfect, emotionally-satisfying entertainment as I have ever seen.
I love this movie. I never tire of the simple story of the guy with the lowest IQ in the room being the smartest guy in the room. It's filled with a patriotic decency you can only find in The Wizard of Oz and To Kill a Mockingbird.
When Dorothy is aching for home and the Wizard can't deliver, I drop my keys. When Scout points to the man behind Jem's bedroom door and says, "Hey, Boo," the fob goes flying.
The next time I get out my copy to show to my 11th Grade US History kids, I'll start fingering my key chain.
I can't help it.