Film Log- 2nd Semester-Forest Gump

Movie: Forrest Gump
1994, Color, 142 mins
Director:Robert Zemekis
Actors: Tom Hanks, Sally Field,


Summary (IMDB): Forrest Gump is a simple man with little brain activity but good intentions. He struggles through childhood with his best and only friend Jenny. His 'mama' teaches him the ways of life and leaves him to choose his destiny. Forrest joins the army for service in Vietnam, finding new friends called Dan and Bubba, he wins medals, starts a ping-pong craze, creates a famous shrimp fishing fleet, inspires people to jog, create the smiley, write bumper stickers and songs, donating to people and meeting the president several times. However this is all irrelevant to Forrest who can only think of his childhood sweetheart Jenny. Who has messed up her life. Although in the end all he wants to prove is that anyone can love anyone

Q: How does costuming/makeup play a role in the film?
A: Forest Gump is film that follows a boy throughout his life-- in order to emphasize the time era of when the movie is taking place in, costuming is crucial. During Forest's childhood, preppy and crisp clothing was used to show the era of the 50s and also the social status of his mother (upper middle class). Forrest remained quite the same throughout the course of the movie while his surroundings were changing. Every decade was defined by the clothing-- mostly shown through Jenny (hippie phase, 60s, druggie phase 70s), as well as through supporting actors coming in and out of Forrest's life. Costuming was crucial in portraying Forrest as a consistent person-- never changed person while the whole world was changing.

Q:How does the soundtrack play a role in Forrest Gump?
A: Much similar to the concept of the costuming in the film, the musical soundtrack to Forrest Gump is extremely crucial in portraying the time period in which Forrest is living in. The music is used as a tool to show his surroundings-- not so much his perspective on what is going on. The Beatles, The Who,& Jimi Hendrix are just a few of the well-known artists that made it to the soundtrack. Each track is filled with depth and relevance to what Forrest is doing next (war, ping-pong, sorrow). The use of music makes a strong statement as to what the movie makes of its' main character.