Forrest Gump (1994)

00:00:00.000 : :1. I'm Forest…Forest Gump
00:06:43.570 : :2. Mama
00:12:24.577 : :3. Like Peas and Carrots
00:19:57.029 : :4. Run Forest Run!
00:31:13.705 : :5. Private Gump
00:40:40.188 : :6. Lieutenant Dan
00:44:18.114 : :7. My Best Good Friend
00:56:34.683 : :8. Wounded In the Buttocks
01:03:32.267 : :9. You're My Girl
01:13:34.160 : :10. National Celebrity
01:17:02.910 : :11. Happy New Year
01:23:52.361 : :12. Shrimp Boat Captain
01:35:00.028 : :13. Bubba Gump
01:38:55.680 : :14. Mama's Trip To Heaven
01:43:53.018 : :15. Jenny Comes Home
01:51:28.390 : :16. A Little Run
01:58:54.836 : :17. Forrest Meets Forrest
02:04:48.648 : :18. Beloved Mother, Wife and Friend
02:15:25.200 : :19. Credits

What makes Forrest Gump work so well is that it's a piece of fiction that seems absolutely based on reality. The character's integration into history never feels forced but instead flows naturally from one event to the next; never does Forrest's life – whether the plausible or the implausible aspects – seem anything but genuine, and through all of the emotion, the highs, and the lows, it's the character's even keel and continuously gentle, heartwarming, and fundamentally sound approach to life that gives the entire story an air of possibility with only a hint of magic along the way. It's a classic tale, rags-to-riches sure, but it's more than that. Forrest Gump embodies a way of life, and that way of life continuously plays in stark contrast to the upheaval of the 1960s and 1970s, loves won and faded, friends made and lost, fortunes earned, and lives changed. No matter the ups or the downs, Forrest never wavers in his love for his mother, his heartfelt pursuit of Jenny, his promises to friends, and perhaps most importantly, his simpleminded yet effective approach to life. His journey – represented by the film's bookend floating feather – signifies not blind luck or absolute faith in predetermination but a sense that there's a middle ground, particularly for those that choose to go with the ebbs and flows of life, those ups and downs that come and go as simply as a feather floating on an ever-changing but consistently gentle breeze, and rely not on brain or brawn but rather heart and soul to stay the course and discover with an open mind and a strong heart whatever life has to offer along the way.

The film's themes of innocence and honesty that remain even through the many obstacles life can place in front of anyone and at any time are reinforced through every conceivable support structure that define the entirety of the Forrest Gump experience. Robert Zemeckis' steady and captivating direction that adds little overt visual flair but lets its story and performances remain the focus of the film; Alan Silvestri's (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra) gentle, light-as-a-feather, almost whimsical, but purely magical score; the integral period music that defines most every one of Forrest's experiences throughout the film; and the captivating and genuine performances from each primary character; all contribute equally to make Forrest Gump a complete film without a single flaw in either is story or technical structure. The film's dramatic situations continuously hearken back to the themes of innocence and honesty, and Tom Hanks' Oscar-winning performance effortlessly captures that spirit in every scene. The character never changes even when everything around him does; Forrest may not be able to pass a college exam, but he (whether he realizes it or not) instead relies on a silent guide – a gentle spirit and a fruitful heart – to lead him to live a full life that he sees in absolute terms, only doing what is either asked of him or comes naturally in every moment. It's truly amazing to watch the film unfold and begin to understand the dichotomy that reflects the schism that man holds between the "ordinary" and the "extraordinary." When seen through the eyes of Forrest Gump, what the viewer may consider his extraordinary life instead becomes something more of a basic series of undertakings that only reflect the gentle heart and strong spirit that define the man's existence. Indeed, Forrest Gump isn't about a simple yet extraordinary man, but instead a man that merely does what and goes where his basic sense tells him, and following his heart leads him through a captivating journey of everything life has to offer but with an evenly-keeled outlook that allows him to experience all of it without the excess baggage that, by extension, lessens the experience.

As mentioned above, Forrest Gump's technical achievements rival the quality of the story it tells. Outside of the themes of innocence and honesty lies a vast construction of film, actors, locations, and special effects that work in seamless conjunction to bring the amazing story to life. Though released back in the earlier days of computer-aided special effects, Forrest Gump's visual effects – whether the character's flawless integration into various archival news footage or the removal of Gary Sinise's legs – hold up remarkably well now 15 years after its theatrical debut. Of course, there are no monsters or spaceships or transforming robots in the movie, but like the film itself, the simplicity not of the effects themselves but what it is they strive to achieve allows them to remain hallmarks of special effects in film. Forrest Gump's production design also excels. Much like a previous Zemeckis effort, Back to the Future, the film's venture into the past – here through several decades rather than a single year (1955) – is seamlessly realized, whether in the turbulent 1960s or the more evenly-keeled early 1980s. Whether a copy of "People" magazine that appears in an early "present day" 1980s scene or the many posters that adorn various locations throughout the film, Forrest Gump never fails to look the part. However, the film is perhaps best known from a technical perspective for its use of popular music throughout; Forrest Gump features a classic soundtrack of not only the hits of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, but a collection of songs that reflect the themes, tone, setting, and story of each segment in the film. Lastly, special mention must be made of Forrest Gump's Vietnam segment. Not only is it one of the moments that set up much of the remainder of the film, but the dialogue both in-country and at the barracks during basic training is exemplary, and the pivotal firefight itself is wonderfully choreographed, exciting, and at the same time frightening, effectively placing the viewer in the middle of battle, the end result a scene that rivals – and in many ways surpasses – anything seen in Platoon, Hamburger Hill, Full Metal Jacket, and the other first-class Vietnam films.