Hard to believe, but Forrest Gump is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and it is as great movie today as it was back in 1994.
Forrest Gump
For me, Forrest Gump remains one of Tom Hanks' greatest big screen performances, and he deserved all of the accolades that came his way for his work.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of this terrific movie, we take a look at some of the best and most memorable moments. POTENTIAL SPOILERS
- Run, Forrest!
There were a whole host of quotable moments from Forrest Gump, and 'Run, Forrest' is one of the best known.
Set in Forrest's childhood, we see the central character run away from the bullies, and realise that he no longer needs leg braces to walk and run.
Michael Conner Humphreys and Hanna Hall played the young Forrest and Jenny as they kick off their life long friendship.
- Wounded Bubba
Another friendship that plays a key part in the film and Forrest's life is that with Bubba Blue, who he meets when he enlists in the army.
Forrest and Bubba - played by Mykelti Williamson - face the horrors of Vietnam together and agree to go into the shrimping business together when they return to the U.S.
Sadly, Bubba does not make it back home, and Forrest's fight to save his friend is one of the film's best and most memorable scenes.
- Death Is Just A Part of Life
Another moving farewell comes between Forrest and his mother, played brilliantly by the wonderful Sally Field. Field really should have been nominated for an Oscar for her performance.
Mrs Gump really was the anchor in Forrest's life and in this moving scene, she has to leave her son to face the world alone and find his own 'destiny.'
It is such a wonderful moment between mother and son, with Field and Hanks playing this scene beautifully - it is not too over the top when it comes to the sentimentality.
- First Mate
Even though Bubba died in Vietnam, Forrest kept his word about going into the shrimping business... and Lieutenant Dan Taylor - played by Gary Sinise - keeps his word in becoming's Gump's first mate.
Forrest Gump is a movie that also contains plenty of humour, and this moment really is one of them.
Forrest is so delighted to see his friend that he leaps off his boat to great him... the consequences are not fantastic!!!
The friendship between Gump and Taylor is another fantastic one, as Gump helps his former Lieutenant accept what happened to him during the Vietnam War and the injuries that he has to live with.
The 'new legs' scene at Forrest's wedding really brings this great friendship full circle.
- Forrest Is A Father
The first half of the movie sees Forrest waiting for a bus that will take him to see Jenny for the first time in a few years.
However, when he finally arrives at her apartment, he gets a little more than he bargained for. Forrest comes face to face with the son that he never knew about.
The moment when he is told that his young son is smart is one of the film's most touching moments, as Forrest is relieved that he will not have to face the problems that he has.
- Forrest Says Goodbye To Jenny
Forrest and Jenny is the film's central relationship and, from the very start, we are rooting for them to find a way to be together.
And just when it looks like they are finally set to be a happy family, tragedy strikes.
I have seen Forrest Gump a hundred times, and yet the final scene where Forrest talks to Jenny's grave still makes me cry. It really is one of the film's most powerful and unforgettable moments.
Some of the film's other great moments include Forrest meeting a young Elvis, Lt Dan finding his peace with God, and Forrest and his drill sergeant.
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