A man with a low IQ has accomplished great things in his life and been present during significant historic events—in each case, far exceeding what anyone imagined he could do. But despite all he has achieved, his one true love eludes him.
The movie's technical tricks are great fun, as is its musical soundtrack, which captures the essences of the eras it traverses. But when you come right down to it, it's the oddly magnetic personality of Forrest himself that is the biggest draw.
– Jay Boyar,
Orlando Sentinel,
7 Jan 2014
fresh:
Good as Wright and Sinise are in their roles as Forrest's near-suicidal soulmates, the movie always comes back to Hanks, and director Robert Zemeckis helps him to achieve some of his finest emotional moments.
– John Hartl,
Seattle Times,
7 Jan 2014
fresh:
This isn't the meaningful movie it pretends to be. But as a goofy entertainment that speeds through the latter half of the 20th century, stopping here and there to snap a photo or two, Forrest Gump does just fine.
– Steven Rea,
Philadelphia Inquirer,
7 Jan 2014
fresh:
It's most successful when it is being off-center, a state of grace it doesn't quite have the nerve to maintain.
– Kenneth Turan,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Jan 2014
rotten:
So afraid to dredge up debate that when Forrest is handed a mic at an antiwar rally, someone unplugs the speakers so we can't hear him - fitting for a movie with nothing to say.