Jeff Smith
Theology and Film
Dr. Pamela Mitchell-Legg
Faith Review
Film Title:
Forrest Gump
Year:
Released to the public in theatres on July 6, 1994, but premiered on June 23, 1994 in
Los Angeles, California.
Director(s):
Robert Zemeckis directed the film. Other films include: Romancing the Stone (1984),
Back to the Future (1985), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), Back to the Future II
(1989), Back to the Future III (1990), Contact (1997), and The Polar Express (2004).
Zemeckis has a tendency to direct a film when the forefront of technology is at its
peak (he from the Spielberg camp of film-making, with Spielberg producing many of
his films). He doesn’t generally shoot fixed camera shots, the camera is always
moving.
Original Release Form/Venue:
The film was originally released for theatres and is based off of a 1986 novel by
Winston Groom.
Current Availability and Formats:
First released onto VHS on April 27, 1995 and then onto DVD on August 28, 2001
and was finally made into Blu-ray format and was released in November 2009.
Genre:
Dramatic Comedy, that equally balances both the humorous and serious side issues
of life.
Story Elements:
First of all the story is told through the eyes of the main character protagonist,
Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks). Throughout the entire film, a shift is made between the
narration and the action of the film itself. It’s told against the backdrop of American
history, which covers the early 60’s of Elvis Pressley, all the way through the
Watergate scandal in the White House. Forrest has an interesting life because he’s
always showing up on the scenes of significant events of American history of the
60’s and 70’s.
There are four main characters that are important in the plot and story itself:
Forrest (Tom Hanks), Jenny Curran (Robin Wright Penn), “Bubba” Blue (Mykelti
Williamson), and Lt. Dan Taylor (Gary Sinise). Forrest is a straight-laced, Godfearing, obedient, and caring individual who is somewhat learning disabled, yet is
gifted in many ways. Jenny has a history of sexual and physical abuse from her
father, and is constantly running away from Forrest’s goodness while chasing her
dream as a singer. She makes a series of poor choices such as: posing for Playboy,
using drugs, and choosing abusive relationships. These choices ultimately lead to
her sickness and death. Bubba Blue has a dream of owning his own shrimp
business, but his dream gets cut short, when he loses his life in Vietnam. He was
Forrest’s best friend, and Forrest chooses to honor him and his commitment to
pursuing Bubba’s dream. Lt. Dan is Forrest’s leader in Vietnam, and has a lot to live
up to because of his family history in war. Forrest saves him from dying in Vietnam
but Lt. Dan resents Forrest for not letting him die. Lt. Dan is upset with Forrest, but
then changes and becomes Forrest’s new best friend. Lt. Dan wrestles with God and
his situation throughout he duration of the movie, eventually finding peace.
Film Language Elements:
The special effects of the film are very important to the movie itself. Outside of the
war scene in Vietnam, the film isn’t full of special effects like a Star Wars movie.
What makes the film special in this area is the fact that the director was able to
weave in the history into the film: someone who looks like Elvis Pressley, and Paul
“Bear” Bryant; and also using real video footage of President John F. Kennedy, or
John Lennon and being able to put Forrest in the video as if it really happened. One
of the most interesting edits throughout most of the film was how they were able to
make Lt. Dan look like he had really lost his legs in the war, by editing them out of
the frames.
Camera shots are also important, because the camera always appears to be moving
throughout the film with very little fixed shots. The beginning and end of the movie
begins with a long shot of a feather blowing in the wind. Also, the music in the film
really fits each scene’s time period and adds to the overall experience of the film.
Audience/Cultural Context Elements:
The intended viewers of this film seem to be adults who grew up during the time
period reflected in the film (late 50’s – 70’s). The history in the film engages folks of
that time period, but also engages others who did not grow up in that time frame but
have a fairly good grasp of American history. I think the social, economic, and
psychological context of this film is important, as it depicts a good representation of
each historical event, while weaving in the storyline.
The audience can identify themselves with each main character as they develop
throughout the film. Some people will find themselves more like one of the four
main characters, or have found themselves dealing with some of the same issues
represented in the film. The film is representative of the culture it portrays, while it
doesn’t appear to take any political side, it stands merely to illuminate the events
that have shaped history in our culture, whether for good or bad.
Theology is Found:
Theology is found explicitly and intentionally in the film. There are explicit
references to God when Lt. Dan asks Forrest if he’s found Jesus, or when Lt. Dan is
on the shrimp boat and is yelling at God in the storm. Theology is intentionally
found by the way Forrest treats Jenny despite her rejection of him time and again, or
even when Lt. Dan is angry with Forrest for saving him and is struggling because he
thinks he is worthless with no legs and Forrest tells him, “Your still Lt. Dan.” The
issue of identity is intentionally brought to the forefront, but not explicitly dealt
with.
Theological Themes for Conversation:
“Is it okay to be angry with God?”
“Does God really listen to us?”
“Does God give us second chances?”
“God’s love: will God always take back the prodigal child?”
“Consequences of our choices”
“Dealing with jealousy and resentment”
“Are we all gifted?” “Are we still valued or valuable despite our disabilities or
weaknesses?”
“Is there such a thing as destiny or being predestined?”
“Identity – does our circumstances change who we are?”
Suggested Use of Film:
I think this film is best used to clarify, explain, and deepen the theological themes
presented. For example, in light of Jenny’s character, it could be used to compare
and contrast the theological themes of sin and grace, as she continues to make poor
choices, reaping what she sows, while at the same time experiencing Forrest’s
continued grace despite her choice to turn away from him. Also, the whole movie
deals with the issue of destiny and doesn’t explain what it means, but leaves it up for
conversation. This conversation could explore the concept of destiny vs. election or
free will.
Recommended Amount/Parts of Film to View & How to View It:
This film could be used in its entirety and then have conversation following it, or
could be used to show individual clips. If you show clips, you must give the
background leading up to the specific clip shown. You could show the whole movie
and then have theological conversation surrounding Forrest’s response to Jenny and
Jenny’s responses to Forrest, comparing and contrasting Forrest’s love for Jenny,
like God’s love for us. If you showed a clip, you could show the scene where Forrest
and Lt. Dan are celebrating New Year’s and Lt. Dan asks Forrest if he’s found Jesus.
This would open a great discussion around whether God listens to us, or about
whether God finds us, or we have to find God.