http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pI_IUibds8
This American comedy/drama is among the favorites of many individuals and is loved by people of all ages. Forrest Gump is an Alabama simpleton who travels the world, experiencing many ups and downs. The movie follows several decades of his life as well as various historical events. Just like many other Hollywood movies, Forrest Gump has a love story embedded as well. Forrest is in love with his childhood sweetheart named Jenny. However, what is different in this movie is that the romantic, love story is not your typical one in which there are two individuals that are in love, with some type of conflict that is resolved and the end result is happiness between the two individuals staying and continuing to love each other.
Forrest Gump story is more romanticized by the fact that he loves Jenny so much, but yet she somewhat kicks him to the side and only finally complies with the typical romantic love story in the end. However, we as the audience are angry and saddened by this due to the fact that we ‘feel’ for Forrest. His tough adolescence years and life in general add to the fact that although he is slow, his heart is pure. Our feeling are not only effected by the fact that from the young age we have been taught to respect and pity those that are not quite as ‘normal’ as us. The notion of collective sympathy is a genetic factor as well, because we feel for those that are frail and less aware overall. We feel sad for Forrest because we see true love and it is rejected by the blindness of Jenny. Even when it might be that she realizes what she has been dodging it is a little too late, and she passes. Once again Forrest is left saddened and with out everything that he truly deserves. In return the audience feels even more towards Forrest and the feeling of pity is aggravated. What is important in this movie is the things we associate with and what should be. You are taught to be nice to others and they in return should be nice to you. If you love someone unconditionally then they should love you back the same. These and many more examples are embedded in our culture, but yet their validity and actuality is sometimes unreal. The story of Forrest Gump points this out in way that shows that romantic love should be ideal and everything should flow perfectly but yet despite all of this, sometimes its just not the case.
Forrest Gump is one of my favorite movies. I love how the "love" story between Jenny and Forrest is not the only love story in the movie. In addition, Forrest is loyal to everything he says. When he makes a promise to Bubba, he keeps it. When he is in the army he saves his fellow soldiers before even thinking about he own safety. Unconditional love is not only prevalent in his love for Jenny, but in every aspect of his life. I think it makes everyone that watches it want to be more like Forrest. More honest, persevering, and of course loving.
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