4. Forrest Gump (1994)
"The world will never be the same once you've seen it through the eyes of Forrest Gump."
Two,maybe three years ago if anyone would have asked me what I thought is the best film ever made,without any doubts,I would answer "Forrest Gump".
I could chat for hours about this masterpiece and how great it is,I even talked about it during my speaking exam few years ago,so I had to do a lot of research and it just made me to love the film even more.
"Forrest Gump" tells a story about a man with the low IQ.Don't get the wrong idea - it will not be a film about a retarded man and his struggle to blend into society.You don't have to pity the character and, in fact,after the film,you may start pitying yourself as Forrest's life is much better - he sees everything like a 7 year old.Love,friendship,war,meaning of life,politics and other things for Forrest Gump are simple.If he is left by a girl,sure,he is sad, but he can go on with with life.He doesn't take death as hard as normal people do because his "mama" told him that death is a part of life.One critic,I think it might be Roger Ebert stated that Forrest is not dumb - all the people around are way too clever.After seeing the film you may start thinking that this is true.We make everything so complicated,we can not let go of things,we fight and cry instead of just enjoying life.Forrest enjoys and this is what makes this film so magical.It's so pure and innocent.
However,it is not a comedy either.Forrest Gump's childhood friend Jenny is opposite to him as she never gets enough of life,she is seeking experience,adventure.Another character Lieutenant Dan,Forrest's friend,becomes even a bigger cynic after a tragic war accident.Yet,why does he keeps hanging out with Forrest?No,it's not for money.It's because Forrest has hope,which lieutenant has lost long time ago.When Dan visits Forrest after the war,he says that he's here to try out his sea legs.Then Forrest reminds him that Lieutenant doesn't have legs.Normally,that's an insult but it made me think why that is considered to be rude?Because people nowadays tend to think that other people always have bad intentions towards each other.That's not how it should be.
One thing which,in my view,makes this film a masterpiece,is the fact that it is about everything and,in fact,you will get what you want from the film.It talks about happiness,depression,despair,fear,love,friendship,dreams,business,family,war,politics,history,even culture and tradition.It is also so original and unique that I think it certainly can be placed in the same shelf with timeless classics.
Of course,this film isn't historically accurate as Forrest Gump is a fictional character(I wish he wasn't).But notice,how well made are those scenes where Forrest is present in historical moments.Also,notice the optimistic music,the bright colors and the astonishing acting.This drama really takes you away to a better world.
I am really glad that this was one of my first childhood films because it taught me that being clever or all-knowing cynic is a curse and simple,tolerant,open-minded people are those whose lives are most full of joy.As the tagline says,world might change for you when you see it the way Forrest does.