1995 BAFTA Best Visual Effects
This is such a beloved film it's very easy to look for faults and tempting to debunk it but whenever I watch this it never fails to impress and indeed move me. It manages very slickly to skirt the boundary between being enchanting and too saccharine and American audiences have often obsessed over issues within their own society missing that this is really a film about innocence, love and purity and it's not, for me anyway, a film about overcoming adversity or celebrating the American Dream. In many ways the film celebrates life and opens a door to view life differently, through nature, humanity and even simplicity. It's not really a story of difference even though the central character of Forrest (Tom Hanks) has a low IQ and initially as a child (played by Michael Connor Humphreys) has to wear leg braces. Those are narrative devices to highlight that Forrest is able to view the world on its most base and precious levels even when he's faced with extreme situations such as combat in the Vietnam war. At its heart it's a romance story, with an undying and loving relationship forming the motivation for all Forrest's actions. The scene where he first meets his young son (Haley Joel Osment in his screen debut) still has the power to bring tears. Hanks performance here is a defining role, one he seems born to play. The support cast especially Robin Wright as Forrest's true love Jenny and Gary Sinise as his former commanding officer and later friend are excellent. A film to sink into every so often because it's one that is truly heart warming and actually rather lovely.
fantastic film. a true classic! story is so clever and well written and the sountrack is also amazing. one of the best films ever made.
Well, it IS a bit schmaltzy. But it's difficult not to love this film as a bittersweet American classic.
Who doesn't like Tom Hanks? It does flit around a lot and seem a bit disjointed at times, but it's kaleidoscopic, breakneck journey through recent US history is also part of it's charm. A great film to sit and smile along to.
Very good Bananas!