America from the early 1950's to the mid-1980's, as seen through the eyes of a lovable dimwit, and with a southern, moderately conservative viewpoint. There are lots of things to like, such as Tom Hanks hamming it up with that accent, and the silly things his character says or does. There is a touching story in the soldier he befriends in Vietnam (Bubba, Mykelti Williamson), a redemptive arc in his commanding officer (Lieutenant Dan, Gary Sinise), and sweetness to how he remains connected to his childhood love, despite their wildly different paths in life (Jenny, Robin Wright). The special effects were dazzling for the period too, including editing Forrest Gump into real archival footage, and making Sinise appear legless.

Unfortunately, despite the feel-good story, it's hard not to be troubled by the narrative, starting early on with how lightly it treats Forrest's namesake, Nathan Bedford Forrest, who of his "club" the Ku Klux Klan, Forrest says "They'd all dress up in their robes and their bedsheets and act like a bunch of ghosts or spooks or something. They'd even put bedsheets on their horses and ride around." That's remarkably playful, considering the heinous acts of the Klan, and the fact that the man was a mass murderer. Contrast that to how the protesters of the Vietnam War and the Black Panthers are portrayed, which is as dangerous, violent hypocrites.

You might think these observations are a function of today's heavily divided politics and my own bias, but consider the treatment of Jenny, how her drug use and sexual promiscuity represent the liberals of the day, and her ultimate fate. Contrast that to Forrest, who is oblivious to world around him, including good and evil, and succeeds with his simple faith in God, and by accepting everything as it is.

When the country drafts him, he goes without question, and observes "I think some of American's best young men served in this war." I have no problem with that per se - and in fact, as author Winston Groom himself served and the soldiers were unfairly maligned en masse upon returning from the unpopular, immoral war, it's understandable they are defended here. The moment when Forrest stands in front of the microphone at the National Mall in Washington D. C. and is asked by Abbie Hoffman to say a few words about the war, but is then not heard because the mike cuts out amidst violence, is quietly powerful.

On the one hand, the film seems to be saying that if only there were more pure hearted people in this world, those that would simply be kind and accept the world around them unconditionally, it would be a better place. On the other hand, it also seems to be saying that critical reasoning and activism to enact change are not so necessary, and in fact, may be harmful. It shows assassinations, or assassination attempts, on both sides of the political spectrum, but rather than a pointed critique of America here or in the war, the message is more one of a good nation persevering. It is a very wholesome film, one with 1950's sensibilities. It doesn't ask much of its audience other than to enjoy a spoon-fed, unchallenging story, one where the songs in the soundtrack match the action a little too perfectly, there are bits of pop philosophy, and more than a little hokum.

Despite all my complaining, I have been entertained by this film each time I've seen it. I laugh when Forrest illogically makes a 90 degree turn while returning a kick in football, and has to be motioned by his teammates on the sideline to make another so that he'll keep running upfield. I feel a shiver when Bubba dies "right there by that river in Vietnam." I feel a sense of profound calm when Lieutenant Dan finally thanks Forrest for saving his life, and jumps into the water, floating on his back. The production quality is high, the cast is excellent, and the film scores points as a comedy, drama, and love story. It needed an edge, or to have been a little more challenging, to be considered great though.