Ever seen the film by Steven Spielberg, Forrest Gump? Not only is it one of my favorite movies of all time, but it is also one of the most compelling films I’ve ever seen. Forrest stood out as a character, and no one could have probably played the role better than Tom Hanks.
It wasn’t till of late that I got to watch the film again and was amazed at how it still maintained the kind of levity it has when I first saw it. And I won’t even try to describe what the film is about at the risk of making it more conventional than it actually is. Hate to use a cliche but it the film brings out a gamut of emotions. Forrest is such a sympathetic character whom, despite his lack of intelligence, is bound for great things. Maybe his oblivion or lack of cynicism in the way he views things has enabled him to disregard the savage nature of the world. This world might deride him as “stupid” but he has craftily woven himself into some of history’s major events and grabbing opportune moments.
This kind of movie is what we need. It enables us to reflect on our times through eyes without cynicism. By saying this, I don’t discourage critical thinking. But by looking at Forrest, we come to terms as to why some people are referred to by others as “too clever by half.” Forrest was clever just exactly enough. It takes me back to several occasions when I overhear some people say they want to go back to the time when they were still little kids, because then they lived with no worries, just taking life exactly for what it is. Also, maybe then we also have had a much better opinion of the world.
Forrest Gump, although it can admittedly be taken as a bit fairy-tailish of a movie, it enables us to arrive at a reconciliation with our society. So, next time you describe the world as cruel, stop and think that maybe those who inhabit the world makes it so.
