"Forrest Gump" 1994

“Forrest Gump”

Forrest Gump: My momma always said, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."

Tom Hanks won the best actor Oscar for his portrayal of a lawyer battling AIDS and the system in “Philadelphia”. He was amazing in the film and had a kick-ass Oscar speech which inspired the comedy “In and Out”. Then he walked on stage again a year later for “Forrest Gump“, the first actor since Spencer Tracy to win back to back Oscars.

I bet against Tom in the Oscar pool for “Forrest Gump” because as amazing as he was in the movie I didn’t think he’d pull off a twofer. I voted for Morgan Freeman, who was also amazing in “Shawshank Redemption”. But then John Travolta and Paul Newman were also in the mix, so I didn’t see any choice as a lock.

But he gave another great speech and took home the award. I hear he keeps it in his bathroom so people can make their own Oscar speech in the mirror when visiting the facilities.

Tom Hanks is incredible. The supporting cast is also fantastic.

Gary Sinise is brilliant and tragic as Lt. Dan. This is the first movie I remember him in. He has gone on to do great things.

Forrest Gump: Lieutenant Dan got me invested in some kind of fruit company. So then I got a call from him, saying we don't have to worry about money no more. And I said, that's good! One less thing.

Robin Wright is subtle and beautiful as Jenny. I love watching her story unfold with Forrest’s naïve view of her sixties and seventies experiences. It is her words that saves his life in Vietnam.

Jenny Curran: Run, Forrest! Run!

She also inspired a phrase we use around our house.

Jenny Curran: Forrest, I'm sick.
Forrest Gump: Do you have a cough due to cold?

Mykelti Williamson is great as Bubba, Forrest’s best good friend.

Bubba: Anyway, like I was sayin', shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey's uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That- that's about it.

And Sally Field. She played Tom Hank’s love interest in “Punchline” but she is great as Mama Gump. The scene where she does “whatever it takes” to get Forrest in school is hilarious. I like Sally. I really really like her.

Principal: [after Mrs. Gump had been entertaining him] You're momma sure does care about your education, son.
Principal: [Forrest remains quiet] You don't say much do you?
Young Forrest Gump: [imitates the noises he has just heard] eh, eh, eh, eh, eh...

A lot happens in this movie. It is great to see the technology where Forrest comes in contact with icons of the latter half of the 20th century. He inspires trends and is followed across the country because he felt like running. But it is the people that Forrest loves that make this movie special.

My favorite scene, Tom Hanks Oscar winning scene is when Jenny tells him about little Forrest. Through the whole movie he’s been defended and protected when anyone calls him stupid. But at that moment, looking at his son, his face goes through all the emotions.

He can barely choke out the question.

Forrest Gump: Is he smart or is he…
Jenny Curran: He’s smart, one of the smartest in his class.

That is how it is done.