Forrest Gump is a 1994 American comedy-drama film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis and stars Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson, and Sally Field. The story depicts several decades in the life of Forrest Gump (Hanks), a slow-witted but kind-hearted man from Alabama who witnesses and unwittingly influences several defining historical events in the 20th century United States.
The film differs substantially from Groom’s novel, including Gump’s personality and several events that were depicted differently or not at all in the book. Principal photography took place in late 1993, mainly in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Extensive visual effects were used to incorporate the protagonist into archived footage and to animate the various historical events in which he finds himself.
Table of Contents:
1. Early life
2. Military service
3. Meeting Jenny
4. Life after the war
5. Running
6. Shrimp business
7. Meeting Elvis
8. Watergate
9. China
10. Top Forrest Gump Quotes
Early life
Forrest Gump was born in Greenbow, Alabama, on June 6, 1944. He was born with a severe case of hip dysplasia, which required surgery to correct. As a result of this, Forrest was unable to participate in physical activities with other children his age. When Forrest was five years old, his mother died of cancer. Forrest’s father, a shrimp boat captain, was largely absent from his life, so Forrest was raised by his maternal grandmother, who taught him to read and write.
Military service
In 1964, Forrest was drafted into the United States Army, and was sent to Vietnam. He served as a platoon leader, and was decorated with the Medal of Honor for his bravery in battle. He was also wounded in battle, and was sent home to the United States.
Meeting Jenny
Forrest meets Jenny Curran (Wright) for the first time when he is nine years old. Jenny is a tomboy, and the two become fast friends. They lose touch for a time when Jenny goes to live with her father, but are reunited when they are both in high school. Jenny is Forrest’s first and only love.
Life after the war
After returning from Vietnam, Forrest enrolls in the University of Alabama on the GI Bill. He meets Bubba Blue (Mykelti Williamson), a shrimp fisherman, who becomes his best friend. Forrest also meets Lieutenant Dan Taylor (Gary Sinise), a disabled Vietnam veteran, who becomes his business partner.
Running
Forrest begins running as a way to cope with his anxieties. He becomes a famous distance runner, and sets several world records. He also meets President Kennedy (Hanks), and runs in the Boston Marathon.
Shrimp business
After the death of Bubba, Forrest and Lt. Dan start a successful shrimp business. They are eventually able to sell the business for $20 million.
Meeting Elvis
Forrest meets Elvis Presley (Hanks) when he is working as a security guard at a concert. Elvis invites Forrest to join him on stage, and the two become friends.
Watergate
Forrest is present at the Watergate hearings, and is able to provide testimony that helps to convict President Nixon (Hanks).
China
Forrest visits China as part of a ping-pong diplomacy mission. He meets Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping (Hanks), and the two become friends.
Top Forrest Gump Quotes
“You have to do the best with what God gave you.” – Forrest Gump
“Bubba was my best good friend, and even I know that ain’t something you can find just around the corner.” – Forrest Gump
“Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.” – Forrest Gump
“Always be able to look back and say, at least I didn’t lead no humdrum life.” – Forrest Gump
“You’ve got to put the past behind you, before you can move on.” – Forrest Gump
“There’s an awful lot you can tell about a person by their shoes.” – Forrest Gump
“Lieutenant Dan got me invested in some kind of fruit company [Apple computer]. 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.” – Forrest
“Stupid is as stupid does.” – Forrest Gump
“I don’t remember being born, I don’t recall what I got for my first Christmas, and I don’t know when I went on my first outdoor picnic. But I do remember the first time I heard the sweetest voice in the wide world.” – Forrest Gump
“Remember what I told you, Forrest. You’re the same as everybody else. Do you hear what I said, Forrest? You’re the same as everybody else. You are no different.” – Mrs. Gump
“Don’t ever let anybody tell you they’re better than you.” – Mrs. Gump
“I don’t know if we each have a destiny, or if we’re all just floating around accidental, like on a breeze. But I think maybe it’s both. Maybe both are happening at the same time.” – Forrest Gump
“My mama always told me that miracles happen every day. Some people don’t think so, but they do.” – Forrest Gump
“There’s only so much fortune a man really needs, and the rest is just for showin’ off.” – Forrest Gump
“Now you wouldn’t believe me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows. From that day on, if I was goin’ somewhere, I was runnin’!” – Forrest
“When I got tired, I slept. When I got hungry, I ate. When I had to go, you know, I went.” – Forrest Gump
“Run, Forrest! run!” – Jenny Curran
“Why don’t you love me, Jenny? I may not be a smart man, but I know what love is.” – Forrest Gump
“Dear God, make me a bird. So, I could fly far. Far far away from here.” – Jenny Curran
“If there’s anything you need, I won’t be far away.” – Forrest Gump
“Listen, you promise me something, OK? Just if you’re ever in trouble, don’t be brave. You just run, OK? Just run away.” – Jenny Curran
“Me and Jenny goes together like peas and carrots.” – Forrest Gump
“One day it started raining, and it didn’t quit for four months. We been through every kind of rain there is. Little bitty stingin’ rain… and big ol’ fat rain. Rain that flew in sideways. And sometimes rain even seemed to come straight up from underneath. Shoot, it even rained at night…” – Forrest Gump
“Miracles happen every day. Some people don’t think so, but they do.” – Forrest Gump
“My mama says they were magic shoes. They could take me anywhere.” – Forrest Gump
“The best thing about visiting the President is the food! Now, since it was all free, and I wasn’t hungry but thirsty, I must’ve drank me fifteen Dr. Peppers.” – Forrest Gump
“That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run. So I ran to the end of the road. And when I got there, I thought maybe I’d run to the end of town. And when I got there, I thought maybe I’d just run across Greenbow County. And I figured, since I run this far, maybe I’d just run across the great state of Alabama. And that’s what I did. I ran clear across Alabama. For no particular reason I just kept on going. I ran clear to the ocean. And when I got there, I figured, since I’d gone this far, I might as well turn around, just keep on going. When I got to another ocean, I figured, since I’d gone this far, I might as well just turn back, keep right on going.” – Forrest Gump
“God can hear my prayers, so I pray.” – Forrest Gump
“Mama always said, dying was a part of life. I sure wish it wasn’t.” – Forrest
“If you do not like my family and friends, I do not want to hear anything about it. They may mean nothing to you, but they mean everything to me.” – Forrest Gump
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