Saw this in the IMDb 250, and couldn't believe it was ranked this high. Quite frankly, very sappy film about a mentally challenged individual and how he influences key events through his life. I liked it when it first came out, but every time I see it on TV, I realize that this is a terrible movie. Essentially, it's a baby-boomer's movie reminiscing about the events of times past. And the more I see it, it reminds me of an earlier, even craftier movie with a simple-minded character which was far more intelligent than this film will ever be..."Being There" with Peter Sellers. Essentially the same story, but Sellers pulls of the role more convincingly and the story unfolds much better. Forget this film--"Being There" is the film to watch.