This movie is incredible. Ask anyone. I'm assuming many people have already seen it, but I will write a little about it nonetheless. "Forrest Gump," released in 1994, went on to win 6 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Tom Hanks, who was absolutely irreplaceable in the title role. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis (in what is surely the best movie he ever directed) and co-starred Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, and Sally Field. The movie starts with Forrest Gump waiting at a bus stop...for a good 2 hours I might add. He begins telling his life story to whoever is sitting near him at the time. Although he had a low IQ he accomplishes a heck of a lot during his life. As it turns out Forrest Gump had a major part in many events in American history during the 1960s-1980s. He gets a Medal of Honor, becomes one of the best ping pong players ever, runs across the country, among many other things throughout the movie All through his life he is in love with Jenny (Robin Wright). Her life takes some unfortunate turns into the hippie and drug culture, etc. Eventually she finds out she should have sticked with Forrest Gump long ago. Sally Field plays Forrest Gump's mother and she does a great job. She is one of my favorite actresses and there was very natural chemistry between her and Tom Hanks. Gary Sinise plays Lt. Dan, who was with Forrest Gump in the war. This goes without saying, but the entire cast is great. However, this is Tom Hanks movie and he earned his Oscar like no one else has before. It's impossible to think of anyone else in that role. Tom Hanks plays the character so seamlessly, like it's simply flowing from his pores. Yes, I love this man. The film also, does an incredible job at blending different genres. There are moments of comedy and drama throughout the entire film, as well as moments of war and romance. So many emotions are tackled in just one film. The editing is also fantastic and the movie doesn't drag on at all. Each scene was carefully set up visually, and serves some purpose to the overall theme of the movie. Since this is a Robert Zemeckis film, there are several instances of special effects. And they are extremely well done and serve the film well. This includes digitally adding Tom Hanks into archival footage of presidents and digitally removing Gary Sinise's legs, after Lt. Dan loses them in war. I could really go on and on about how much I love this movie but I will just comment of one more thing: the soundtrack. The movie has a great variety of songs, as the movies passes through the different decades in America's history and inludes Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Simon and Garfunkle, Bob Dylan, and many more talented performers that complimented "Forrest Gump" with the songs chosen. AFI considers "Forrest Gump" one of the Top 100 Movies of All Time. They are not lying. It really is that good and is on it's way to becoming an American classic. If you haven't seen it yet. Do it. And if you have. Watch it again. And one more thing, "Life's like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get." Truer words have never been spoken.-Joseph Sbrilli
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