Being one of the most important events of American history, Vietnam War couldn't have been left out in "Forrest Gump". Usually all Hollywood films adopt two main approaches in depicting the Vietnam War. It is either a patriotic approach, or it is rather a blaming approach, seeing war as a pure tragedy wasting thousands of people's lives. However, none of these approaches was used in "Forrest Gump".
Its filmmakers give the viewer an opportunity to make his own decisions and judge whether the war was a necessity or it was morally wrong. Four main characters in the film: Forrest himself, Jenny, Bubba and Lieutenant Dan, all together represent four very different opinions towards the war.
Lieutenant Dan views Vietnam as a glorious national and personal event. He believes the war to be right, but most of all he believes that it is his duty to be a part of this war. .
" Someone from his family had fought and died in every American war. I guess you could say he had a lot to live up to- Compared to many other soldiers, Lieutenant Dan doesn't seek glory and fame for himself, he seeks a different destiny: dying a war hero like his forefathers. " I was supposed to die in the field with honor. That was my destiny. And you cheated me out of it- - Lt. Dan says to Gump after being saved from the battle field against his own wish. From cheerful commander Dan soon turns into a man embittered by his war experiences that left him without legs. In his after-Vietnam life Lieutenant Dan feels cheated and betrayed. He is no longer a patriot of his own country. As many other Vietnam veterans he lives in conflict with society and with God. In later part of the film Lt. Dan makes us think how the war affected mentally and physically those who stayed alive. Were the sufferings of those people worth this war?.
Another perspective on Vietnam War is given by Bubba. The vast majority of soldiers in Vietnam were black. All of them, as well as Bubba - Forrest's war pal, were the victims of this war.
The film, "Forrest Gump," touched the hearts of many. ... "Hope" because unlike many of us, Forrest's mother, Mrs. Gump never lost hope that someday, his son would make her the proudest mother of all and he did. ... Gump never made Forrest feel how unintelligent he really is. ... She molded Forrest into a kind, loving, honest individual. ...
Born in 1950s, Forrest Gump is raised by single mother in Greenbow, Alabama. ... After graduating, Forrest enlists in the U.S. ... Mrs Gump never treats Forrest as a child with special educational needs. ... " (Forrest Gump, 2011) Such a "simple self" is reinforced by a number of his achievements after graduating: being a war hero in the Vietnam War for saving other soldiers, mastering superb skills in Ping Pong competition against the Chinese teams, operating a successful shrimping boat company, meeting with three US Presidents, etc. ... Mrs Gump is right, "stupid is as s...
Born in 1950s, Forrest Gump is raised by single mother in Greenbow, Alabama. ... After graduating, Forrest enlists in the U.S. ... Mrs Gump never treats Forrest as a child with special educational needs. ... " (Forrest Gump, 2011) Such a "simple self" is reinforced by a number of his achievements after graduating: being a war hero in the Vietnam War for saving other soldiers, mastering superb skills in Ping Pong competition against the Chinese teams, operating a successful shrimping boat company, meeting with three US Presidents, etc. ... Mrs Gump is right, "stupid is as s...
Forrest Gump came in 1994, based on a novel by the same name. ... However, in Forrest Gump, although he kept to the script using special effects, he directed with a more dramatic and narrative purpose. ... In Time magazine, Forrest Gump was described as "a romantic epic starring Tom Hanks as a slow but sweet-souled low IQ Alabama boy who lucks into nearly every headline from political scandals to the Vietnam War" (Corliss and Grace). ... Forrest is perhaps the purest character of cinema, without malice or pre-judgment. ... Actually his Mom, God and Jenny made Gump who he was....
At its heart, Forrest Gump is a love story. ... Mama Gump knew what Forrest was like right from the beginning. ... "Me and Jenny was like peas and carrots."" - Forrest Gump A heartwarming aspect of Forrest Gump is the relationship between Forrest and Jenny. ... - - Forrest Gump The movie is ingenious in taking Forrest on a tour of recent American history. ... The importance of all of these experiences really helped define Forrest Gump. ...
The movie Forrest Gump demonstrates the idea of destiny through speech and actions of characters. ... For example, she has sex with Forrest's principal so Forrest can attend public school, and she raises Forrest the best she can despite his differences. ... Dan and Forrest's mother. ... The movie Forrest Gump is not just an entertainment source, but also has a more in depth meaning. ... Dan, Forrest's mother, and Forrest all help establish the theme of destiny. ...
"Forrest Gump" is the story of a man who overcomes numerous obstacles throughout different stages of his life and always seems to see the brighter side of things in the process. ... The film "Forrest Gump" is about a simple man's journey through complicated times. ... In my opinion, "Forrest Gump" is an absolutely superb film that represents not only the significant history of America, but touches the heart as well. ... Man versus man, man versus nature, and most importantly, man's conflict with himself, can all be represented by not only Forrest Gump but through many other charac...
Forrest Gump was released back in 1994. ... Tom Hanks does not just do a good job of playing Forrest Gump, you really believe that he is that person. ... I will discuss, in depth, the way that Tom Hanks plays Forrest Gump and how he makes a very good job of it. ... Jenny tells Forrest to run. ... Forrest Gump's facial expression shows that he is scared and he runs fast and very stilted like a stick man. ...
