LIFE --on Forrest Gump

——Film review of ”Forrest Gump” By Cindy With the tender melody trickling from the clouds, in the azure sky swirled a pure white feather, which finally settled beside Forrest’s feet, and Gump, while waiting for the bus, started his narration. In front of him, a road extends to the unknown future, and different passers-by stepped in and out of Forrest’s life… It is the impressive beginning of “Forrest Gump”, which I always consider a film about life. And life is a boundless topic, upon which this film provides a unique interpretation. In my perspective, right from the day of birth, everyone is suddenly thrown into this broad wilderness, with no ready belief, aim, or guidance. One then starts his endless seek for the value of life and the proof of existence. As I view it, that is the theme of everyone’s life, no matter whether they are aware of it or not. And people are different, so that within this diverse world, just like taking buses of various routes, they are bound to lust for the very beauty they treasure. This film presents three characters that best sums up the attitudes towards life, which have been interwoven with historic happenings that refracts individual choices and values. Jenny, the bewildered girl, is never content with what she gets. After graduation from college, she left Forrest for some distant dreams that always disturbed her: money, fame, and ultimately, the meaning of living. She became a naked nightclub singer, a girlfriend of that abusive hippie activist and a typical woman of that remarkable era, living in constant chaos and despair. She is a totally “lost child” in the time of daze and confusion, and without knowing what exactly she is looking for, never feels satisfied and actualized. Lieutenant Dan, however, might be the most tragic and touching figure of the three. Different from the other two, he is so sure about his goal that couldn’t accept the fact of deformity. Dream and reality are kept separate, which brings about deepest suffering and frustration. He is both brave and obstinate, never submitting to the seemingly unfair destiny, while he is also driven to the abyss of continuous struggle with his fate, but all the time he remains the loser. And then Forrest Gump, with a comparatively low IQ, achieved such miracles that the viewers could feel nothing but amazed: a football star, a war hero, a shrimp-boat captain and a national celebrity. Gump was taught by his mother the principle of life, to which he persisited in living. It is his contentness that makes him retain the “inner child” and lead to his success. He never becomes a man and remains a boy throughout and the naiveté that comes through a limited understanding of the world around him gives Forrest a uniquely positive perspective of life. And with his simple but effective virtues, Forrest influenced the people around: Jenny found the true love at the last days of her life; lieutenant Dan made peace with god, and started a brand-new life once again. Obviously, this film means to tell all the viewers that the true way of life is actually very simple. But I doubt how can everyone realize this. Should Jenny be blamed for her desire to be successful? It is commonly understood for an individual to find her value. Should lieutenant Dan be condemned for his pessimism and bad-temper? It is extremely painful for one to strive for higher pursuit when he is deprived even the possibility of dreaming. Viewers are certainly touched by the message advocated, but it can hardly make any substantial change to their way of life. Although the movie replenishes their energy and refreshes their outlook, people still cannot help becoming more and more complicated in their journey of life, before the essential value and comfort can be ever possibly realized. To some extent, Gump is fortunate because that childlike innocence, which can be considered stupid, has its rewards. In fact, he never grows up or matures in the movie and can retain his “inner child” unaffected by all the temptations and confusions. And this film is more like a fairy tale to portray a folk hero which stands for our ideal. Everyone has more or less something in common with Jenny, Dan, or Forrest Gump. Actually, it is a film about American people, their life, their time of turbulence, and how their life choices are affected in last forty years. People will remember that legendary Forrest, for he witnessed their generation and is invented to inspire people with his simple but profound understanding of life. “Life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what you are going to get.” Forrest said so. The white feather was again blown up to the sky, floating as little Forrest started his first school day. Life always keeps on, and everyone continues their endeavor, just like taking on the next bus and heading for where they are going. Cindy’s innovation 2001©all rights reserved

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