It didn’t take long for me to realize “Forrest Gump”, would become one of my favorite movies. There are so many layers of raw emotion and humanity; I glean something new each time I see it. It’s one of those rare movies that makes you laugh, cry, reflect, and quote for years to come.
From the get-go, Forrest captures the heart of anyone who’s experienced bullying. His best friend, Jenny, does her best to help him when she famously says “Run, Forrest, Run!” to escape his tormentors. Forrest takes her advice and as he struggles to run, his leg braces miraculously fall off. This is such a marvelous visual: struggling, leaving our comfort zone, shedding our shackles, and moving forward.
Though Forrest isn’t considered intelligent by society’s standards, I think many of us would agree having a friend of his devotion would be a blessing. His friendship meant commitment, but without strings.
His mom repeatedly told him he could do anything he wanted – and she didn’t coddle him – so he wasn’t hindered by limitations; real or imagined. He went to college on a football scholarship, joined the Army, traveled the world playing ping pong, started a successful shrimp boat fleet, and much more. Most of us have so many reasons why we can’t do something we don’t even begin.
There are probably dozens of life’s analogies I could list from the movie, but here are my two current favorite “Life Lessons from ‘Forrest Gump’” spoken straight from him.
“I may not be a smart man, but I know what love is”
His love for Jenny was obvious, but he also loved his mother, Lieutenant Dan, and Bubba. He showed love for all of them by being Real. He said what he meant, and meant what he said; his actions backed up his words. He was non-judgmental and devoted. Yes, I believe he did know what love is. It would be one of life’s greatest accomplishments to know and show this kind of love.
“Sometimes there just aren’t enough rocks”
Jenny tries to escape her childhood nightmares by repeatedly leaving Alabama seeking love and acceptance. The time she comes home and finally confronts her past, Jenny visits her childhood home with Forrest. She throws her shoes, then some rocks at the old, abandoned house. When she’s done, she falls into a sobbing heap on the dusty road. Startled and confused, Forrest slowly joins her and sits awkwardly beside her. It’s such a picture of connection –he couldn’t relate to, or fix her pain; but he went into the depths with her. In the end, that’s the most healing thing we can do for each other.
What about you? What life lessons have you drawn from ‘Forrest Gump’ or other movies?
Nov 16, 2014 @ 18:04:17
I like the film Forrest Gump, and the part where he says “Sometimes, I guess there aren’t enough rocks” really speaks volumes, especially for a writer like me. That scene where Jenny first remembers what her father had done to her as a child before throwing her shoes and then some rocks at her old home is definitely a good example of what child sexual abuse can do to a person, even in adulthood.
I also like the quote about life being a box of chocolates (first spoken by Forrest and then his mother Mrs Gump (played by Sally Field), as it is very true indeed… 🙂
“My mama always said, life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
“Life’s a box of chocolates, Forrest. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
LikeLike
Nov 17, 2014 @ 06:47:55
Hi Abigail,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Forrest Gump. It is a timeless movie with lots of great things to think about.
LikeLike
Oct 01, 2013 @ 00:47:02
I loved you laying this out like this. I actually haven’t even watched the movie, but I’ve heard a lot, a lot about FG. This was interesting, Denise 🙂
LikeLike
Oct 02, 2013 @ 10:18:36
I have a feeling you’d like the movie, Noeleen 🙂
LikeLike
Jul 12, 2013 @ 15:12:22
touching and poignant Denise. thanks
LikeLike
Jul 14, 2013 @ 10:11:21
Thanks for stopping by, Brad 😉
LikeLike
May 02, 2013 @ 20:37:17
One of my all time favorites! It seems like all of us (in my house at least) are quoting him all the time! One of the things I HAD to do when I went to Gatlinburg TN, was eat at Bubba Gump’s Shrimp! You should SEE all the Forrest memorabilia! You’d love it 🙂
LikeLike
May 02, 2013 @ 23:05:55
That sounds really fun! I didn’t know there was such a place, but…why not?!
LikeLike
May 03, 2013 @ 06:40:12
Their is in Tennessee and of course (I think) Louisiana 🙂 Here’s the link:
http://www.bubbagump.com/
LikeLike
May 03, 2013 @ 13:48:41
Thanks!!
LikeLike
Apr 30, 2013 @ 10:46:00
One of the best movies of all times!!!! What can’t you learn from Forrest Gump? 🙂
LikeLike
Apr 30, 2013 @ 15:30:14
So true! Thanks, Marsha!
LikeLike
Apr 29, 2013 @ 12:40:47
I like the movie “Amazing Grace”, it is a great lesson on how one person can make a difference in the world.
LikeLike
Apr 30, 2013 @ 15:29:41
That was an incredible movie! Thanks for the reminder.
LikeLike
Apr 28, 2013 @ 19:42:18
One of my favorite movies of all time! Forrest reminds me of my sweet boy who has intellectual disabilities and a pure heart of gold❤ His beautiful heart and soul will take him wherever he chooses to go…and will ensure that he forms many rewarding relationships…he loves and is loved by many.
LikeLike
Apr 28, 2013 @ 20:01:44
Your son sounds like he leaves a trail of love wherever he goes.
I have two friends with sons that have Down Syndrome; they, too, are incredibly sweet and loving.
Thank you for sharing about your gold-hearted boy; it made me smile to read about him. 😉
LikeLike
Apr 28, 2013 @ 09:30:53
I had always enjoyed “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” Now I may have to put Forrest on my re-watch list (smile).
LikeLike
Apr 28, 2013 @ 11:19:17
I’ve actually never seen either of these movies…Getting some great suggestions from awesome readers/movie watchers! 😉
LikeLike
Apr 28, 2013 @ 07:38:54
One of the best movies of all time. Yes, to have a friend like him is a blessing. I think in many ways he saw life through the eyes of a child – and we could all use more of that.
LikeLike
Apr 28, 2013 @ 07:43:02
That’s s good point, Karen. Seeing things through the eyes of a child opens up a lot more options with a lot less hesitations!
LikeLike
Apr 28, 2013 @ 04:58:24
I read an article once about how the army has a way to put electrodes on your head (or some such thing) to take away self doubt and then their agents/soldiers can learn to do things at a remarkable rate and to a high level of excellence. Forrest Gump is an example of how our beliefs about our own limitations are the biggest hurdle to success and happiness . THX for reminding me what a great movie this is.
LikeLike
Apr 28, 2013 @ 07:39:20
We do tend to be our own worst enemies don’t we Susanna?
Thanks for stopping by 😉
LikeLike
Apr 28, 2013 @ 07:49:11
literally my pleasure!
LikeLike
Apr 28, 2013 @ 03:45:55
One of my all time favorite films is Shall We Dance with Richard Gere in the lead. Sure I love ballroom dancing but what I take away from the film time and time again is that life is simply too short not to explore new adventures that may give us pleasure.
LikeLike
Apr 28, 2013 @ 07:36:38
I’ll have to add that to my “to watch” list. I’ve never heard of it before. Thanks for the suggestion!
LikeLike
Apr 28, 2013 @ 00:13:17
I think the line, “Sometimes there just aren’t enough rocks” is one of the best lines from any movie I’ve ever seen 😀
LikeLike
Apr 28, 2013 @ 07:35:01
I would have to agree wholeheartedly, Dianne!
LikeLike
Apr 27, 2013 @ 22:44:42
I loved Good Will Hunting and was deeply touched when Robin Williams broke through Matt Damon’s emotional wall, saying ‘it wasn’t your fault’. I’d had the same breakthrough years before about my own abuse and that scene floored me. Great post Denise.
LikeLike
Apr 27, 2013 @ 22:59:45
I’ve never seen that one, Yaz. Isn’t it amazing when a movie scene is so eerily familiar?
So glad we’re traveling along this journey together…thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
Apr 27, 2013 @ 19:04:53
It is my favourite movie of all time -:)!
LikeLike
Apr 27, 2013 @ 19:50:52
Awww, I can see why! 😉
LikeLike
Apr 27, 2013 @ 18:26:44
For me the most significant things I learn over and over is that trust (where real love lives) takes time and actions of reinforcement to develop. The Shawshank Redemption comes to mind, how doing right by another develops trust and therein love and all things of the heart are possible. Forrest was pure heart and anyone connecting with his big open heart would have been very lucky, had they been able to see beyond what they might have thought of him to the beauty of his authenticity.
LikeLike
Apr 27, 2013 @ 18:44:05
Shawshank is a great movie, too! And I always love a twist at the end… 😉
Thanks, Paulette!
LikeLike
Apr 27, 2013 @ 18:03:24
One of hubs favorite films! There are a lot of memorable moments, I agree.
LikeLike
Apr 27, 2013 @ 18:42:22
Isn’t it great when we can find a movie that appeals to men and women?
😉
LikeLike