Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump is one of the most universally well-loved movies of recent times. Its simple storyline and endearing characters, along with an easy to understand version of all of America's recent history make it an instant hit for the general public.

The symbolism of the feather floating in the wind from the beginning to the end of the movie was a cute motif that added depth to the introduction and conclusion of the film. The feather represents Forrest, floating whichever way life takes him, not affected in a positive or negative way by all of his successes, famous encounters, business breakthroughs, or tropical storms. He floats on by while other people are weighed down by multiple presidential assassinations, name-calling, and prejudice. It is his calm acceptance of the tide of life that brings him back to his hometown and the people he loves.

The one constant in Forrest's live is his love for his childhood friend Jenny. He is always thinking about her, he continues to do things for her even though she treats him badly and tells him to stay away from her, and his sole motivation is to find her again and stay with her. This is one of Forrest's characteristics that sets him apart from the other people in the movie, who are interested in money or power. He is only interested in love, and he knows where to find it.

This film is different from every other biography-like film because it has a freshness, an optimism, and an emotional maturity that most people interesting enough to be the focus of a movie are lacking. Most stories we see are about an amazing person who was somehow tortured by their inner demons and now it is taking over their professional life. Here we have someone who can not even comprehend evil, let alone use it to manipulate people around him.

Some people are spoken about as having 'not grown up yet'. If this is what not growing up entails, being innocent and optimistic and pure in heart, then I would love to stay a child.