Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that though this film's strong language, violence, and sexual situations make it questionable for kids, this Oscar winner filled with three decades of American history make it a good choice for family viewing with mature teens. Parents may want to preview it for its realistic treatment of serious issues like child abuse, the civil rights movement, drugs, and war.
Families can talk about American history and how it's seen through Forrest's eyes. What are his impressions of the Vietnam War? Of a young Elvis? Of the hippie movement?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Michael Scheinfeld
"Life is like a box of chocolates…you never know what you're gonna get." This famous catchphrase also describes FORREST GUMP--it serves up an abundance of surprising treats, sometimes sweet and sometimes bitter. Its two-and-a-half hours run the gamut from humor and charm to tragedy and poignancy. Although epic in length and symbolic in treatment, the movie never loses sight of the intimate love story at its center.
The relationship between the childlike Forrest and the disillusioned Jenny can be seen as an allegory for America's loss of innocence from the 1950s to the 1980s, reflected by pop culture and socio-political events. Rock and roll, the civil rights movement, Vietnam, Watergate, and more are touched on, sometimes seriously and sometimes satirically.
Though its strong language, violence, and sexual situations make it questionable for children, the movie can introduce young viewers to prominent moments in the twentieth century. Through the use of Oscar-winning visual effects, Forrest interacts with U.S. presidents, teaches Elvis Presley how to do his famous "pelvis dance," and inspires John Lennon to write the song "Imagine." The encounters border on the absurd, but they're anchored by Tom Hanks's extraordinary performance. Hanks makes the slow-witted Forrest a sympathetic and believable character instead of a stereotyped simpleton.
Superb acting by the entire cast, especially Robin Wright as Jenny and Gary Sinise as Forrest's army lieutenant, add substance to this sentimental tearjerker.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentJenny works as a stripper at one point. No nudity, but one scene of foreplay, and a non-explicit scene in which Jenny and Forrest finally make love. |
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ViolenceThe young Forrest has rocks thrown at him by some bullies. There are also some fistfights and a bloody Vietnam War combat scene. The scene where young Jenny hides from her abusive father is disturbing, as are the deaths of Forrest's mother and Jenny. |
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LanguageThe movie contains a fair share of strong four-letter words. |
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Social BehaviorForrest, through his extreme naivety and big heart, seems to bring out the best in people. |
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CommercialismSome brand names (like Apple computers) are named. Bubba Gump Shrimp. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoJenny becomes a drug addict, cocaine is visible. |
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