MovieChat Forums > Forrest Gump (1994) Discussion > I don't understand why it's considered o...

I don't understand why it's considered one of the best movies

posted 9 years ago by martynapaukstyte
35 replies | jump to latest

First of all, I don't actively dislike the movie, I think it has charm and is easy to watch, but to be 13 on the list? What am I missing that makes this movie so amazing.

I get that it's a really charming, simple and refreshing look at things, it's shockingly clever the way someone like Forrest can see the world.

But outside of that, I just don't get it. I mean you have these absolutely amazing things that happen to the simplest person, I guess that's part of the charm? Though it never enthralled me so perhaps it's just an emotional thing.

The whole subplot with Jenny. Oh my god, is it easy to hate her, and I understand Jenny is actually a really complicated character who is trying to overcome this whole baggage of guilt and misunderstanding and her warped conception of love, and frankly, I think this movie would be great if Jenny was the main character, because there's so much depth to be explored that I feel like the movie otherwise fails to do naturally, without you purposefully thinking about her (but again, maybe that's just me).

But otherwise, it just all feels like one big gimmick "look, simple minded person does something great because his outlook is so simple". "Look, you can look at things simply and it is totally sensible". And while with the writing this can definitely make the movie more than just average, what makes it so 8.8 amazing I just don't understand.

[–] PreachCaleb 9 years ago

Though it never enthralled me so perhaps it's just an emotional thing.

Bingo.

Not to mention the cinematography, the score, the special effects, production value, etc.

Can't stop the signal.

[–] Ginnysababe 9 years ago

I'm right there with you. Have you seen Slumdog Millionare? The films seem similar, but I thought Slumdog had everything Forrest didn't.

[–] nox9 8 years ago

This is a particularly offensive statement since Slumdog Millionaire has borrowed heavily from another film which I won't mention, and is quite unoriginal in premise.

The only thing in common from both is making something of yourself from nothing.

[–] rdoyle29 8 years ago

offensive?

[–] zootie 8 years ago

For starters, the movie has great acting and production value. It is one of the first movies to seemingly incorporate live action effects and historical footage (yet it doesn't get lost in them, it isn't a Sci-Fi movie). It was very original at the time (and the effects have aged well)

And there is a definite nostalgia/emotional component. Not just for the ones that lived the events in the movie, but of their children. Jenny and Forrest are mother and father to the new generation. Each took their own road, suffered, and finally came together in Little Forrest.

It's not just viewing those events through Forrest's eyes, but that they could have happened to anybody, and that they ultimately bring everybody together. Of the conflict and growth in America's psyche after feeling it would be torn apart.

It captures a big part of the hope of the 90s. After the tumultuous post WWII years, the counter culture, and general struggle of the 60s and 70s. The Cold War had ended and humanity was still here after it all and the future looked bright.

[–] gcarras (2726) 7 years ago

"The Cold War had ended"
It's too bad.

[–] Citation_Needed 8 years ago

You're probably just a sociopath who lacks empathy. It's okay. A lot of people are dead inside. At least you're not a narcissist to boot.

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Leeccdoo 8 years ago

Lol, oh please. Just because someone doesn't like this movie doesn't make them a bad person. Retard.

[–] Stygian6 8 years ago

You're all suckers, wooed by the big budget, Tom Hanks and quality soundtrack. This film was a reprehensible, subversive endorsement of conservative American values wrapped up in a box of chocolates. Truly an utterly despicable film that whitewashes history with sentimental sop. Wake up! (NOT a troll)

[–] MrsMonroe74 8 years ago

neither do i.

___________________
he left u NAKED in a DITCH!

[–] CptHowdy87 8 years ago

You either like it or you don't. You don't have to feel like you should like it just because it's so popular though. I never understood why so many people have such an issue with this movie. Who cares if you didn't like it? Why is it so important to let everyone know that you're the odd one out and don't like it? Does it really mean that much to you?

[–] SnowBoy81 8 years ago

For those who haven't watched it multiple times, try it and see if that doesn't change your mind. Shouldn't be hard to do, because it is very watchable (I think most agree).

While watching it again, you might see how everything fits together so well, and how there's always a little detail you didn't notice before. And everything's consistent in the Forrest Gump universe; that's hard to find in any movie. Watch it again and report back.

[–] big-bp 8 years ago

10/10
I just watched it and noticed how Forrest & Forrest Jr mirror each other's movements when they first meet in Jenny's apt. Cool scene. The movie is still captivating close to 120 minutes in!
That "He got a daddy named Forrest, too?" has to be the best paternity denial line ever!
And then Hank's award-winning response...jaw-dropping.

[–] strntz (10779) 5 years ago

Unfortunately, the simple minded among us don't understand that because this story is fiction, the writer could use the scenes where F and FJr have the exact same mannerisms instead of having a clumsy paternity test to let the viewers know Forrest is the father. Besides, Maury wanted too much money for a cameo...