Forrest Gump Runs Again

Greg Vellante

Fans of the widely popular Forrest Gump should prepare themselves to yell “Run, Forrest, Run!” once more as the feature gears up for its own run this month. For one week only, the film will be re-released in select IMAX theaters around the country to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The 1994 classic is beloved by many as a staple in both pop culture and cinematic history. The movie is anchored by a memorable storyline, signature dialogue (“My mama always said, ‘Life was like a box of chocolates’”) and a killer lead performance by Tom Hanks as the titular simple man who leads an extraordinary life. Two decades have passed since its first release, so the question is: has the film truly held up after all these years?

When Forrest Gump premiered in 1994, it was met with many positive reviews. However, it also received some backlash upon winning many awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Robert Zemeckis at the 67th annual Academy Awards, which included memorable nominees such as Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction and Robert Redford’s Quiz Show. Forrest Gump is an adored movie with great sentiments at its core and an incessant yet effectively formulaic storyline. Forrest is notable for being a part of many historical landmarks during his character arc, which has led to the film to being shown in history classes across the country. It’s easy to forgive the film for its too-easy-to-follow narrative because it’s a fantasy at heart, but the film is certainly not without its problems.

The original author of the film’s source material, Winston Groom, was cheated out of his compensation and original vision by Paramount, and he was appalled with the final cinematic product. Also, anyone who has read the book can confirm that the movie certainly isn’t the truest of adaptations, despite its sincere values. And while the film is bursting with sincerity and sentimentality, what does that mean for the politically charged storyline? What does the film actually have to say about the historical events it has reproduced? The simple answer: nothing. Historical events are turned into mere plot devices to move Forrest’s journey along, and commentary is nonexistent. It’s a film that presents a lot and has little to say about it. As interesting as Forrest may be, the majority of his intrigue comes from the characters and situations that surround him. His good ol’ mama (played by Sally Field) is a strong character with a weak storyline, as her main function is served through the tears she draws at her death in the third act. Just like Mama, Gary Sinese’s Lieutenant Dan is a far more interesting character who plays second fiddle to a simplistic lead.

There are certainly vast opinions about this “classic” film. While some argue that it’s a masterpiece, others consider it fluff — and some actually despise the film. Forrest Gump is certainly not without its flaws, but it has made its mark on the cinematic community regardless, leaving an indelible impression. The movie is certainly a box of chocolates but with the diagram included. But even though you really do know what you’re going to get, it doesn’t mean that it can’t be enjoyable.

Forrest Gump Runs Again For One Week at IMAX Theatres Beginning September 5