<![CDATA[Why is it so popular?]]>Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Forrest Gump

bonsai-superstar — 9 years ago(January 25, 2017 06:34 PM)

The masses relate to it because it offers hope. Who needs hope? - the hopeless. See also "Shawshank Redemption" for a similar, simple story.
This movie, like all movies, is a fantasy: in this case, a fantasy for lazy, simple (minded) people who fantasize about fame & celebrity (Forrest is on TV and in the newspapers multiple times, meets presidents and inspires celebrities, etc.) and money ("fate" sees to it that his shrimp business makes him a millionaire and emphasis is put on how even his most mundane musings end up making people millionaires) without actually doing any work or coming up with any ideas to deserve either.
Life happens to Forrest, and these luckless layabouts relate to Forrest. Unfortunately for them, life is not like a box of chocolates where you don't know what you're gonna get, rather, it's based on natural selection where doers earn the good chocolates and people like their hero Forrest usually end up with nothing at all. Forrest Gump is a poor role model and this is an average movie.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/topic/217255/why-is-it-so-popularRSS for NodeWed, 13 May 2026 15:43:11 GMTSat, 02 May 2026 01:55:46 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Why is it so popular? on Sat, 02 May 2026 01:55:51 GMT]]>dwbbld1026 — 9 years ago(January 31, 2017 05:53 PM)

Because it's a masterpiece. It reaches all your emotions. The movie makes you laugh and cry. It makes you sad and happy. All in a little more then 2 hours. How many movies can do that? Not many.
Plus its a history lesson. Its OUR story. Forest is lot like America during the 50's - 70's and how we lost our innocence and became a world power.
Then the acting is so good. Hanks did the second greatest job of acting EVER!!!! Only Hoffman in Rainman played a better role.
Fantastic soundtrack. Great writing and storytelling. Everything is great about this movie and it will always stand the test of time.
a true 10 of 10.
Lawrence of Arbia, he was an English guy who came to fight the Turkish

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1825599https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1825599Sat, 02 May 2026 01:55:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why is it so popular? on Sat, 02 May 2026 01:55:50 GMT]]>Philip_90 — 9 years ago(January 31, 2017 12:55 PM)

It's a great film with a feel-good to it. The Shrimp Guy (Bubba) was one of my favourite characters as he was so likeable and had hoped he'd live through the war to open his business. Gump did good on his promise, though. =
)

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1825598https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1825598Sat, 02 May 2026 01:55:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why is it so popular? on Sat, 02 May 2026 01:55:49 GMT]]>preachcaleb — 9 years ago(January 28, 2017 10:07 PM)

Radical, dude.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1825597https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1825597Sat, 02 May 2026 01:55:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why is it so popular? on Sat, 02 May 2026 01:55:48 GMT]]>bonsai-superstar — 9 years ago(January 28, 2017 06:08 PM)

Sorry to hear you think so, as you rated the astonishingly awful "Super Troopers" 8/10 (!), and that was far from a cool story. BTW, you might want to update your childish catchphrases, as that one dates you as being either 12 years old or hopelessly out of touch. Bye!

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1825596https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1825596Sat, 02 May 2026 01:55:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why is it so popular? on Sat, 02 May 2026 01:55:47 GMT]]>preachcaleb — 9 years ago(January 26, 2017 07:00 AM)

Cool story, bro.
Seize the moment, 'cause tomorrow you might be dead.

]]>https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1825595https://filmglance.com/discuss/post/1825595Sat, 02 May 2026 01:55:47 GMT