The target audience for Forrest Gump was probably aimed at Americans as it relates to American History, but this doesn’t mean that different countries can't relate to the films issues.
The film deals with a major topic, which is still very much relevant in all of our live today; drugs and aids. IN the 60's and 70's aids wasn't recognised at such, it sparked controversy causing it to become a taboo subject. We can assume that Jenny's 'virus' was aids. When Jenny is going through the hippie phase in her life, as most of the people in the 60's were, we see her and another man "doing drugs". In the 60's drugs were a part of the bohemian lifestyle. Today the drug situation is even worst, drugs manifest themselves in the societies of the rich and poor, the horror stories inhabit our newspapers. Drugs are very much a part of our society just as they were in the film. Forrest Gump shows them up to be the life destroyers that they are.
Another major issue that the film deals with is the Vietnam War; this was huge event in the lives of all Americans during the 60's and 70's. When the cold war was at its height many people thought communism would win, this was a long distant war which the majority if Americans didn't want to happen. The Americans were losing. Today the scarily volatile situation in Iraq is our Vietnam, we can substitute the situation, and the threat of an imminent war becomes frighteningly real.
Many of the Pot lines in Forrest Gump are still relevant today; subsequently the film is still popular today making it a classic.
The important moments of American history are relived throughout the film. Robert Zemekis subtly puts across different messages in these scenes.
The Vietnam War scene is the film making an antiwar statement? We arrive with Forrest at the base camp; we see the stereotypical image of Americans, food, sleep, beer! Their budwisers in one hand, their steaks in an other, whilst others are lounging around in hammocks, the way this scene is set seems to be mocking the American army.
The other soldiers in a self assured arrogant mannor, always 'when we win the war' a typical American assumption that they are the biggest and the best so they will win. They didn't though.
Forrest, an innocent naïve simpleton bedraggled into the army because of his trusting nature, is forced to fight and trained to kill, against his simple human nature. Under the Heading of Lt. Dan Forrest goes to fight, with the company of his best friend Bubba. Bubba gets killed after Forrest selflessly saves the rest of the team in a valiant search for Bubba; the film shows the harsh reality of soldiers' idealisms. The music played in the background of this scene is by Jimmy Hendrex, a huge antiwar figure. The film covers the huge anti Vietnam War demonstrations in America (no soldier would dare attend these because they would be imprisoned.)
All these factors suggest that Robert Zemekis was making an antiwar statement through his medium of filmmaking.
Following Forrest's heroic departure from Vietnam he is awarded the Medal of Honor. This he receives from president JFK. In my opinion the portrayal of JFK is inaccurate. When handing out the medals to the soldiers he says exactly the same thing to everyone, I think he would have been more personal and less general.
In any film the standard format will include a representation of various characters. A pantomime, these characters will be exaggerated and stereotypicalised, in films they are often more subtle and harder to distinguish.
In Forrest Gump Jenny is representitive of the abused daughter. We discover though Forrests innocence and naiveté that Jenny and her sisters are being abused by their father.
" He was a loving man, always loving
and touching Jenny and her sisters "
It is clear to the viewer that Jenny is a distressed child who sought refuge and solace inside the arms of mild natured Forrest. Eventually Jenny is moved to live with her grandmother. Whilst fleeing from her father she pray with Forrest that she will be turned into a bird so she can fly away, the beautiful untainted innocence of this desperate plea makes us realize the horrible situation which continues around the world today. Birds fly up from the crops leading her father in the wrong direction. There is an echo of this scene later on in the film when Forrest is talking to Jenny's grave and birds fly up.
The abuse Jenny suffered as a child, left her emotions discoloured, leaving her scarred for most of her adult life, she took her own dangerous, risky paths. Jenny was incapable of loving any man, having never been loved by one herself, and any experiences of love having been severely distorted by her abusive father. She rejected all of Forrest's heartfelt advances.
"You don't know what love is"
Forrest may be a simpleton but he is capable of the raw emotions just as anyone else, the irony of her statement is that she herself does not know what love is because she won't allow it. She is psychologically damaged by her past, as if to erase the memory of an unwanted life Jenny constantly put her self in danger, taking risks. She ran away with strangers. Twice she contemplated suicide, her happy, hippie demeanor was false, and inside she was deeply unhappy.
"Where are you running off to"?
"I'm not running"
But she is running. Jenny tired so hard to distance herself from her past that she went to extremes, drugs, seedy, superficial relationships did not unlock her heart. Her son, little Forrest, did this; she was able to love another man, so she was allowed to let herself fall for Forrest. If she had had a girl would the situation be different?
The representation of race in any film is always a controversial and sensitive topic to cover. Back in the era a Forrest Gump race was a major issue, with groups such as the Black Panther movement at their height, and JFK trying to put a stop to segregation. He let black students into the universities, this may sound like a trivial thing to us now but in those days it was a major step forward, but many people opposed this, his work eventually culminated in his assassination.
The film starts with Forrest narrating his tale to a black nurse; a nurse is an important, powerful job. A further example of black being in power is the drill sergeant who commands Forrest's squad. He is black and not only does he have power, he has rank above whites, for the time period it would be a significant step forward in racial equality.
In our society the majority of us do not judge people in their colour. In the 60's and 70's however there was a lot of racial tension and rivalries between blacks and whites. Forrests simplicity allows him to see the only difference between black and whites is exactly the, the colour if their skin. He recognised the fact that jus because people were different in looks, didn't mean they were any less of a person.
When the black students are going into university, Forrest picks up a dropped book; the protesting crowd around him doesn't lead him, he just carries on as normal.
When Forrest joins the army, he gets on the bus to leave and is met by a horde of hostile faces, an echo of a previous scene when he catches the school bus. Then he met Jenny, this time he meets another significant person in his life; Bubba. Bubba was his best friend, he was black, Forrest and Bubba were not bothered by race.
When under severe attack in Vietnam Forrest heroically rescues as many people as he can regardless of their ethnic origins, he rescues both black and white in his initial quest to find Bubba.
A final example of the promotion of racial equality, is when Forrest becomes a millionaire form his shrimping escapades. He nobly offers half of all his earning to the dead Bubbas family. Through Forrests simple and innocent persona Robert Zemekis is using his film for advertising racial equality.
Forrest represents the hero, in more ways than the usual one-dimensional character. He overcomes the fact that he has leg braces in his younger life, he ignores the stares and whispers with the aid of his mum. He rescues Jenny form herself one more than one occasion; he does anything he can to help her. Forrest's trusting and giving nature means others often take advantage of him, he is cajoled into the army where he meets his new best friend Bubba. Bubba dies for his country and Forrest risks his life to save his comrades; they are both undervalued individuals who were prepared to die for their country, which was ruthlessly using them in a complicated political war. Forrests loving character means he will do anything to help others. He values human life above political ploys. The problems he overcomes should make us feel humble when we think we have troubles.
In my opinion the villain in Forrest Gump is the infamous president Nixon. In American History he was one if the most hated and corrupt presidents, just as in our society Hitler is hated. As the initial target audience was American, then this makes Nixon the scandalous villain. Robert Zemekis covers the Watergate scandal, at this time Nixon was abhored by all Americans. Zemekis uses Forrest to uncover the entwining tendrils that formed Nixon's web of deceit and lies. He interlinks actual footage to reinforce the scene.
Ideology is a widespread belief, a culture, an upbringing. Throughout the film Zemekis subtly attacks American ideology. In America it is part of their culture to carry a gun; the right to defend. The film insinuates that carrying guns encourages violence, there are many assassinations covered in Forrest Gump, would these have been so frequent if it wasn't part of American society, to have a gang cultures and guns so easily at hand? Again we can relate this issue to a current day situation; we have read in the headlines about the sniper which is plaguing America. Would he/she be around if guns weren't such an accepted part of American ideology?
The film also appears to be attacking the wealthy, flamboyant Americans by suggesting that great wealth shouldn’t be hoarded, and kept for yourself.
"Mamma says there's only so much money a man needs, the rest is for showing off."
Forrest earns a fortune from his Ping-Pong and shrimping adventures. His mother taught him to be down to earth, he selflessly donates his money to charities, hospitals, and of course Bubbas family. He gets a job and offers to do it for free; he gives back to society, and doesn’t take. Through Forrest's selflessness and generosity the film is waging war upon the wealthy, greedy, snobby rich man.
The film also touches upon the American education system, implying that it is immoral and dishonest. Forrests, mum is desperate for Forrest to get into school, she wants the best for him. Forrests IQ is five below the pass mark, in return for sexual favors the headmaster agrees to admit Forrest into school.
"My boy Forrest is gonna get the same opportunities as everyone else."
When it comes to Forrest getting into a university, he receives a scholarship simply for being good at football, a degree for playing sport. Yet when first spotted running across a football field he is dismissed and judged, like so many times before.
It's just the local idiot"
The narrative of the film is recounted by Forrest whilst he is waiting for his bus. He recalls his autobiography from memories, and tells them to random strangers who become captivated by his heartwarming tale. We will see a close up of Forrest's face; a close up is used so we can see the characters emotion. Whilst Forrest is narrating his memory we hear his voice over whilst wee see what he is describing. This flashback will then blend into a mixture of voiceovers and dialogue. These flashbacks are usually concluded with…
"And that’s all I have to say about that."
We rejoin Forrest at his bench at irregular intervals, often accompanied by a different stranger. The majority of the film follows this format, until Forrest brings us up to the present day. We learn that he is on a quest to visit Jenny and is only a few blocks from her house, why didn’t he go sooner? Was he merely too polite to stop his narrative, or did he need to tell his emotional tale so he could define and clarify his feelings?
The narrative thread of the film is jenny, and the love between her and Forrest, unrequited love, puppy love, and finally just love.
"I would always think of Jenny"
So we are linked into Jenny's tumultuous life, we experience the turmoil she is exhausting herself through, her pain, and her depression. On several occasions Forrests and Jenny's paths in life cross, each time leaving behind an imprint of unhappiness for them both, and so their lives are entwined until they both untangle their true feelings for eachother and meet for the final time.
Many of us have an icon that we idolize, and look up to. It may be a celebrity whose talent we long for, or a relative who we love and respect. Forrest's icon is his mother, until he meets Jenny she is the most significant woman in his life. Forrest could never know the extent and depth of her maternal love for him, as we already know she was prepared to do anything for him. Boys are often closer to their fathers and girls to their mothers. Having never known a father figure Forrest is far more appreciative of his mother than other boys his age. It is clear to the viewer that Forrest idolizes his mother, everything he ever learnt came form her. She lovingly explains things to him in layman's terms so he can understand her, and he never questions what she says, although she sometimes averts the issue the way adults do when they don't want to confront their own emotions, let alone explain them to a child.
"Mamma always says…"
The other woman in Forrests life; Jenny is not an apparent icon and seemingly not a good role model with the rocky route she chose in life. The way Jenny eventually overcomes her problems is a message for those who are suffering; she is an icon for those who need to get over their pasts.
But Forrest himself is an icon for the everyday man; his life story is a motto that anyone can succeed if they try.
I could not help but love Forrest for his character traits. He is blissfully ignorant and unaware yet he experiences more than most people in his lifetime. It is this factor which makes his character so appealing to people, against the apparent odds he was successful. The audience can experience trauma, war, laughs and love all through the innocent unprejudiced eyes of Forrest. The plot becomes increasingly enticing through Forrest's loveable character. As the audience we become drawn into his fluctuating life; we feel pity for him during his testing childhood, joy with him when things turn out ok, and even anger at those who torment him. We are there every step of the way of his magical voyage.
Forrest is an everyman character. I fell in love with his idiosyncrasies; it is his simpleton character, which is part of his charm. I think Robert Zemekis is putting across a feel good vibe that the chances are there for anyone to achieve no matter how intelligent you are.
Forrest undergoes a wide range of experiences, which a wide variety of people can relate to. He played football, joined the army, played Ping-Pong, owned a shrimping company and ran round America several times. Not to mention his mother dying and his tempest of love with Jenny. He meets all sorts of people in the way touching and changing their lives; he makes them rich giving them the ideas for famous money making schemes such as the slogan 'Shit happens'. This seems to me somewhat exaggerated; yet some people could say that about the whole film. Could one simpleton really achieve so much in just one lifetime, it doesn’t seem realistic, but to me this is what makes Forrest Gump the magical fairytale and feel good movie that it is!
The language that we use portrays who we are, it defines our personality and allows us to morph into any character we wish, even if a person is not very bright they can still express themselves in the same ways. As I became aquatinted with Forrest I realised that without his naivete of language he would not be half as loveable. Although he does not always comprehend the depth of his words they have a significant impact upon those who hear them.
Mise - en - Scene, this means 'put on stage' it refers to what we see on the screen, and incorporates every possible detail. I am going to study several Mise - en - Scenes within one large scene; Forrest running across America. This scene shows Forrest in a variety of settings, ranging from the deserts of Colorado to the Rocky Mountains along the West Coast of America. Forrest runs around America to exert his pent up emotions over Jenny, could these changes in scenery depict the change of emotion that he feels?
Throughout this scene we revisit the bus stop bench at regular intervals, if only for a few seconds, why does the director chose to do this? I feel it detracts from the conflicting and powerful emotions Forrest is feeling, the tension is broken, so a humorous atmosphere can be built up.
Forrests starts his run to try and clear his raging whirlpool of tumultuous emotions, he impulsively puts on his Bubba- Gump hat and starts running and doesn’t stop for along time!
As the months passed by we see Forrest age until he becomes almost unrecognizable, his hair becomes a tangled mane under the same, but rather muddied Bubba - Gump hat. This effect would have probably been achieved using a wig, as it would have taken too long for Tom Hanks to grow his hair. During this scene the narrative is mostly voice-overs except for a few words.
When Forrest is running, the camera must be on the back of a slow moving car or trailer so we can see his face, clearly and steadily whilst he is running. At other times a high angle shot is used so we are able to see Forrest coming. As time passes by Forrest receives a lot of attention from the ever persistent media, we see him running over a bridge being chased by hounding reporters. Forrest is uneasy and doesn’t want to talk to them to me this is a visual metaphor about how he feels with life, he wants to keep running and get away from it. The reporters have a business like demeanor and make Forrest seem shabby and insignificant in contrast.
The scenes must have been shot at different time of the day, to achieve the spectacular sunrises and sunsets. If the scenes were not shot at location, scenery with special lighting would have been used.
As Forrest ages still his appearance becomes disheveled and less intact, than the handsome clean shaven Forrest that we see at the bus stop, the clever use of hair and makeup contributes to this untidy image; as if he hasn’t washed for a long time!
Forrests run was exhausting both emotionally and physically, when he finally feels he has conquered his feelings he stops and turns to face his accumulated followers. We see that he has changed somewhat, all that remains of the previous Forrest are his old Nike trainers and the very same Bubba - Gump hat. Both these things contain sentimental value for Forrest and stay with him throughout the film, a message that although he wanted to get away form the life he knew he still needed a reminder of it with him. IN the background d of this scene 'Running on empty' by Jackson Browne is playing. Is this implying that Forrest is running on empty emotions?
The impression that I receive form Forrest at this moment in time is one of the dominating Jesus above his minions. This image is the stereotypical way that I perceive Jesus to be depicted. Upon a hill towering over his followers, a long flowing mane of hair and beard with those around him silent with an apprehending expectancy, waiting with anticipation for him to utter some words of explanation, their faces shining with awe and wonderment. The pensive expression upon Forrest's face tells us that he is finally come to terms with his inner conflict, thus he announces that he is ready to return home.
The astonishment shows on the faces around him, this does not deter him in any way though! So he simply returns home!
Forrest Gump is not a typical film; it cannot be defined to the boundaries of one specific genre. There is a magical romance between Jenny and Forrest, there is history with the Vietnam War, and we have humor with the ignorance and simplicity of Forrest's humble character.
"I've come to get my sea legs"
"But you haven't got any legs Lt. Dan"
Yet there is also tragedy with the deaths of Bubba, Forrest's mum and finally Jenny. The film is complex but understandable, with many different angles and edges there is something that will appeal to everyone.
The film cleverly links in the relevant American history with news reports in the Tele. Forrest may even be unaware of these reports, but the camera zooms in and the audience are made aware of the passage of time we are now in by the appropriate moment of history. Zemekis cleverly uses actual footage in some of these scenes, an example being when Forrest is on a chat show with John Lennon. The footage we see is actual footage of John Lennon, with Forrest added by a computerised image. Uncannily, the interview is linked into song lyrics from John Lennon's song ' Imagine '. The image of John Lennon in this scene is not portrayed particularly well. He is leaning across the camera, smoking, and a far cry from the image he created of himself in the white room of his house. Zemekis used footage of John Lennon because he was a he promoter of the peace, again referring to an antiwar statement.
The film covers many controversial topics, one of these being the Black Panther Movement, this was a group of protesting black people who were very prejudiced against whites. In the scene where Forrest meets the leader of this movement, he is unaware of the significance of what is taking place around him. The leader he meets is angry and on a high, he is hyped up and self-righteous.
"You take our jobs and rape our women"
The actual reality of this statement is in actual fact the complete opposite; no white man would dare go near a black woman because of the controversy surrounding the whole issue at this time. To me Forrest seems, bemused and vexed as to why these people see such a difference in colour to him. He is aware that they are very powerful people and isn't too sure what to make of it. He is quick to defend Jenny when he sees someone raise their hand to her, one of the few times he uses his strength to harm another in the film.
The soundtrack of Forrest Gump relives and revives the 60's 70's and 80's. Many of the famous songs are used to reinforce the message being put across in the scene, linking the lyrics with what is happening in the scene. For example when jenny impulsively decides to become a hippie and go to San Fran Sisco, the song playing is ' San Fran Sisco (don’t forget to wear some flowers in your hair)' by Scott McKenzie. Another example is when Jenny is dancing in a seedy club; the song playing is ' Get down tonight' by KC and the Sunshine band.
The magical happenings in Forrest Gump bind scenes together
with an enchanting thread. Young Forrest is being chased by
relentless bullies on bikes
"Run Forrest run"
Jenny's plea is amplified to a level of desperation. We see
Forrest running his hardest, impossibly slow and restrained by
his leg braces. We see this sequence in slow motion, and to our
joy and amazement, his leg braces break off, we discover he
can run fast, subsequently he is cured!
The second time this happens Forrest is older and walking down the same path as Jenny, an echo of the afore mentioned scene. The same, older schoolboys chase Forrest in a car this time, the are pitiless, shallow bullies whom have not grown out of victimizing those weaker than them. Forrest is forced to run across a football game to escape from their taunting pursuit, his exceptional speed catches the eye of a talent spotter and is offered a place in a university for a sports degree.
The only parts of Forrest Gump which contrast to the magical fairy story image I have created are the tragic deaths of Bubba, his Mum, and Jenny.
Jenny's death is a tearful culmination to a previously happy ending. They don’t all live happily ever after, Jenny dies and Forrest is left with a living reminder of her memory, his son little Forrest. Jenny knew that she was dying and in a final moment of sanity and compassion she gave into her will and let happiness reside in her heart by allowing herself to love Forrest. At Jenny's grave we hear a heartfelt tear provoking speech from Forrest, Jenny can finally rest in peace. The film ends with the feather floating in the air. Signifying the end of one journey and the beginning of another, new life.
Lucy Elizabeth Adler
10 M