The 76th movie on the AFI’s top 100 movies is Forrest Gump, released in 1994. Really, has it been that long. I can still remember seeing the film in the theatre. I have seen bits and pieces of it over the years. This holiday season it was on the telly, which worked out well for me.
I won’t go into too much detail about the plot. Forrest isn’t the brightest guy, but he’s a sweetheart. And he had a knack for being present at many important turning points in American history. However, that didn’t matter much to him. He’s on a quest to be with his true love, Jenny. Jenny is kind, loving, and plagued with inner demons. Can the simple Forrest ease her sorrows?
This film was a hit with critics and movie goers. It won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor (Tom Hanks), Best Director (Robert Zemeckis), Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, and Best Adapted Screenplay. I know I enjoy the film, even when I only watch a few minutes of it.
Some of you may or may not know that a themed restaurant based on the film opened in 1996. Since then, several of them have opened, including one in Times Square, New York City. We don’t know how, but each time we go to NYC we go to Bubba Gump. It’s our thing. I’m a shrimp fan. And the mud pie dessert is good as well. The staff is always friendly and let’s be honest, the cheese factor is high. It’s an entertaining place to go.
In 2011 the better half and I spent three months apart. I was closing the apartment in Boston and the better half was finding us a place to live in London while getting settled into the new job. It was a long three months. Before I moved to London we had plans to meet in New York for the US Open. We arrived in the city around the same time. I took the bus, the better half flew in. Instead of meeting at the top of the Empire State Building we bet at Bubba Gump. Since I didn’t have to go through customs and baggage claim I arrived first. I sat at the bar sipping a beer and looking at the entrance every few seconds. Of course, the better half walked in when I wasn’t paying attention since I was watching the movie that is always playing in the bar. There’s no sound, but it isn’t hard to follow along since I’ve seen the movie a million times. It was a wonderful moment. It’s great that even after nine years we still enjoy being around each other and get excited to see each other after being apart.
Up next on my list is In the Heat of the Night, a movie I haven’t seen.
50 Year Project 
That is a wonderful movie!! It’s one of those movies where even after all these years, you still hear people quoting from it. I haven’t actually watched it in years, but a while ago I picked up a copy of the DVD on sale somewhere (after consulting my database to make sure I didn’t already have it TEE HEE), and after reading your review I think I will make a point to watch it again :). So, I have to know, did you do the slow motion running into each other’s arms when you finally caught sight of the better half???
I got a tap on the shoulder and a comment that went something like this, “What you didn’t order me a beer.” It was a touching moment, full of romance.
LOL!!! That’s too funny :).
Have I ever mentioned that the better half has a fantastic sense of humor. Even on my darkest days I can count on laughing from some witty remark. I do get tired of the jumping out from behind a door joke. Miles loves this game and the two of them can play it for hours. I think you know what it’s like living with practical jokers 🙂
You have no idea – my house is a bloody zoo!! My hubby has a great sense of humor too, and right now he is on his last week of holidays while Daniel goes to school and I go to work, so he is just full of piss and vinegar. I can’t even post on here what he did this morning to make me laugh – it’s too rude but hilarious!! It’s so good to laugh though isn’t it? I wouldn’t have it any other way because life is way to short to be boring and grumpy :).
Because of your review, the hubby and I watched Forrest Gump last night, and it was just as wonderful as ever!! I think one of the reasons it is so amazing is because it makes you experience the whole gamut of emotions. One minute you’re laughing and the next minute you want to cry. Like I told you yesterday, I bought this movie a while ago and had it tucked away. Thank you for reminding me what a treasure it is :).
There isn’t a dull moment in the movie. I’m glad you two enjoyed it together. Did you eat shrimp while watching it?
No, sorry to say I am not a seafood person! I have tried it many times through the years to see if my tastes have changed because I’m the only one in my house that doesn’t like seafood, but I just can’t stomach it.
I don’t like a lot of seafood, but have been a shrimp fan since I was a kid. If you go to Bubba’s I suggest the mud pie and some of their fancy drinks are like having a dessert.
Mmmmmm, mud pie and fancy drinks sounds awesome!! 🙂
Nice review, TBM! Thanks for sharing your your personal experience while watching the movie too. I have seen ‘Forrest Gump’ so many times. All those signature lines in the movie, though they might have become cliched now, are still very beautiful.
I’m amazed by how many lines came from this movie. Each time I watch it I’m reminded of one I forgot. I think this movie will be charming for people thirty years down the road. Forrest is such a simple man and the story is beautifully told.
I love that movie! And no way it was put out in 1994……I swear it was only yesterday! I love Bubba Gumps and have been to a couple of them–most recently at the Mall of America!!! Yummers. Love the story of meeting the better half there—seems like quite an appropriate place to meet! Can’t wait to hear your take on the next movie—a classic for sure!
Never been to the Mall of America. I hear it’s quite the experience. When I saw the next movie I could only think of the TV show. Didn’t know there was a movie. I love watching or reading something that I know absolutely nothing about. A blank slate.
Blank slate is good. Kind of like my mind this morning….who am I kidding? Every morning!
Forest Gump is a wonderful movie that would be worth revisiting … after all, it’s been 19 years.
And I was 19 at the time! Funny so much has changed in my life and yet so much hasn’t. But I agree, the movie is brilliant.
My wife hates Forrest Gump, but my daughter and I love it!
Great post!
Does she hate it since there are no vampires?
Now that you mention it…
wonderful movie for me too… how many time I watched I don’t remember but I can watch again. Wonderful post dear TBM, Thanks and Love, nia
I’ve lost count also Nia, but it always makes me smile.
Forrest Gump is one of the best movies ever!! 😀
I agree.
I love Bubba Gump…their coconut shrimp is the best! We actually ate at the one in Maui–right on the water.
In the Heat of the Night is gritty, but really good.
I like the sound of gritty–looking forward to it. It has been too long since I was in Maui. Need to get back there.
Wonderful, and a good film as well.
Sweet story!
Beautiful review! Love the movie!!
Sounds great..will search 4 it..;-)
I hope you enjoy
People always tell me I should re-watch it as it’s a Vietnam movie. Sort of. The thing is, I really don’t like Tom Hanks. I have seen it once but I can’t remember it. It’s the type of movie like Rain Man, I just don’t get along with them.
It’s lovely that you are still so fond of each other after 9 years. 🙂
When he made this movie it seemed like he was in every big movie and you couldn’t escape Tom Hanks. It has been some time since I’ve seen Rain Man. I remember liking it, but not as much as this one. And I don’t really consider this movie a Vietnam movie–yes parts include the war but I wouldn’t classify this as a serious addition to the genre.
That’s true, I just saw him too often for a while. I liked him a lot in Philadelphia though and in Saving Private Ryan he isn’t bad at all.
I will have to re-watch it anyway. Btw Have you seen Birdy? That’s an unusual “Vietnam” movie but such an amazing one.
I think he’s a good actor and I remember the days when he made goofy tv shows and movies. Everyone has to start somewhere. Birdy rings a bell, but don’t think I’ve seen it. I’ll add it to my rental list. Thanks! And I got a foreign flick in the mail yesterday. I think the movie is from Vietnam, but not positive.
I ate at my first bubba gump this weekend in Monterey, CA! We did some trivia and the only one that stumped us was “what was the bus driver’s name?” Anyone know it without googling? 🙂
Without Google I can’t answer. Can anyone help me out? Trivia sounds fun. Say hi to Monterey for me. I grew up outside of Anaheim and I’ve been missing California, especially the beaches.
I’ve walked by the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co in Times Square many times but never thought to go in. I’ll have to give it a try, but I’m sure without the better half meeting me for dinner it won’t be the same. 🙂
I love this movie…it never fails to make me feel. Oh and I know this – because when I saw the movie I was reminded of anothe great classic film…the bus driver’s name is Dorothy
I love that movie. A lot of great movies came out that same year with Shawshank Redemption and Pulp Fiction. Truly awesome year for movies. So glad you were able to catch it. So many memorable quotes I know a lot of people like “life is like a box of chocolates,” but I prefer the one where Forrest and Jenny are walking and they run into her old house and she just starts throwing rocks at it, until she falls and has a breakdown and then Forrest says … “sometimes there’s just not enough rock.” OH! Awesome.
A great film – and so many quotable moments! Stupid is as stupid does!
Lynn 😀
I’ve seen this film once and while i really enjoyed it, at the same time it did make me cry rather a lot!
Yes. For those who haven’t watched it, I suggest having some tissues. I cried as well.