Tom Hanks is the heroic dunce living through America‘s recent history in Robert Zemeckis‘ multi-Oscar winning comedy-drama. Top-notch performances and some impressive visual trickery contribute to one of the populist triumphs of the 90s Few mainstream movies of the 90s polarised opinion more effectively than this. Although a winner of six Oscars and nominated for half-a-dozen more, for many it‘s a schmaltzy tribute to a mythical American dream. For others it‘s a film dedicated to the triumph of innocence over cynicism. Whichever side you‘re on, there‘s no denying director Zemeckis‘ achievement, and it‘s a hard heart that resists the child-like charm of Tom Hanks‘ dopey hero.

Growing up in 50s Alabama, Forrest overcomes an IQ of 75 to achieve success in a unlikely range of fields (Vietnam hero, sports celebrity, shrimp tycoon). Forrest‘s optimism and virtue stand in stark contrast to a nation torn apart by corruption and war. Cunningly doctored contemporary footage has him meeting Kennedy, Nixon and Lennon. The fate of his childhood sweetheart, Jenny (Wright), goes some way to illustrating the dark side of the 60s.

Despite the simplicity of Forrest, the film is inventively structured and peppered with little ironies. Maintaining an expression of intense concentration, Hanks gives a performance that is among his best.

Ignore the liberal hand-wringing and accusations of conservative moralising about this film. Rather this is an old fashioned fable in which good things sometimes happen to people if they‘re nice. And what‘s so objectionable about that? Verdict
Unashamedly sentimental, this is a technically triumphant tear-jerker. Rarely off-screen Hanks puts in an expert performance and Zemeckis‘ canny direction means that even the more manipulative moments are not without their charm.