Merits of Forrest Gump Movie

Merits of Forrest Gump Movie

Forrest Gump is a 1994 drama-comedy movie partly based on a novel authored by Winston groom during late 1980s. Robert Zemeckis directs the film. It depicts Forrest Grump’s life as an athletically prodigious and good-hearted man, but equally naive and slow-witted Alabama resident. What makes the movie exceptional is the ingenious application of extensive visual effects to develop several scenes while incorporating the main characters into the archived footage. Besides, the director uses a comprehensive soundtrack. Robert Zemeckis employs music to pinpoint particular timeframes as projected on the screen (Groom, 2013). It is an effective strategy that keeps the viewer glued to the screen at the same time arousing feelings and memories of the second half of 20^th Century in America.

The Film stresses the importance of loyalty, friendship and family. While the audience can question certain figures and historic events, the film receives credit for highlighting pertinent issues like war, child abuse, and racism that cripple the modern society.  Forrest, as protagonists, brings out the best in people because of his big heart and abject naivety. His hard work, devotion, and focus are inspirational to film’s audience (Groom, 2013).

Forrest Grump introduces younger viewers to prominent and defining moments of 20^th Century. Oscar-winning visual effects enable protagonist to interact with former presidents of the United States like J.F. Kennedy. In addition, Forrest instructs Presley on how to execute pelvis dance. Analysts argue that the film is an accomplished cyber-cinema feat that makes even subtle tricks look seamless. The movie audience is bound to marvel at sheer genius and wizardry behind these visual effects. For example, in the opening credit sequence, a drifting feather is featured on an adequately choreographed trajectory until it lands on an intended destination. In this way, Zemeckis depicts a clear visual embodiment of protagonist's path in life.

Hank's extraordinary acting skills drown stereotyped simpleton traits of Forrest. Instead, he portrays the character as believable and sympathetic, much to audience's amusement. His breathtaking performance is a balancing act between sadness and comedy in a plot rich in quiet truths and laughs. Some of the conflicts that Forrest battles in the film include man versus man and the protagonist versus nature. Personal conflict emerges both in the main character’s role and those of others (Groom, 2013).

There is a quite subtle race relations story in Forrest Gun. Forrest is a resident of Greenbow Alabama—a fictional town in a southern state. Desegregation is one of the issues that the movie attempts to highlight. The film paint image of African Americans in two ways: blacks living in a modern society and those of the civil rights movement era. In the beginning, Forrest holds a conversation with an African American nurse. There is no noticeable instance of racist remarks or views in this scene because it occurs in the year 1994 when race relations were a non-issue. However, the portrayal of relations between blacks and whites changes dramatically during flashbacks.

In summary, it is clear that Forrest Gump has numerous merits to the audience and in the accurate portrayal of 20^th Century American society. Most importantly, application of excellent visual effects guarantees audience satisfaction besides making the film one of the best in American history. Most of its characters are convincing (Groom, 2013). Besides, the story has a distinct sequence ensuring that viewers can follow closely the chronological events as they unfolded in history.

References

Groom, W. (2013). Forrest Gump. London: Black Swan. Print.