With its 2022 remake, Laal Singh Chaddha, running in Indian theatres, Robert Zemeckis and Eric Roth’s written 1994 movie, Forrest Gump, is once again making the buzz. It was an American comedy-drama that featured Tom Hanks in the lead role of Forrest Gump, along with many known faces in the movie. Forrest Gump was the top-grossing American film of the year 1994 and presented a glimpse into the changing era of the 20th century.
Forrest Gump ending has a special place in the whole movie as the protagonist finally settles down in his life after facing all the chaos of his life. Its story was thus something commended by every critic and the viewers. This film has everything – drama, romance, falling apart, action, and adventure. So let’s visit the movie through this article and refresh this nostalgic story once again.
About Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump is a 1994 American comedy plus drama-based film that was written by Eric Roth, and Robert Zemeckis directed it. The movie was based on Winston Groom’s novel with the same title that got published in 1986.
It premiered on July 6, 1994, and became the second highest-grossing movie of 1994 after The Lion King. It received several nominations for prestigious awards, including Golden Globes, British Academy Film Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
The Star Cast
Tom Hanks appears in the movie as the lead character, Forrest Gump, who is a man of emotions but low IQ. Robin Wright plays his long-lasting love interest and childhood friend, Jenny Curran. Michael Conner Humphreys and Hanna R. Hall played young Forrest and Jenny, respectively. Some other important stars include Gary Sinise as Lieutenant Dan Taylor, Sally Field as Mrs. Gump (Forrest’s mother), Haley Joel Osment as Forrest Gump Jr. (Forrest’s son), etc.
The Initial Plot
The story of Forrest Gump revolves around a slow-witted but kindhearted man, Forrest, who lives in Greenbow, Alabama, with his mother. He meets Jenny in his school and experiences love at first sight. He is often bullied at school for his dim wit, and installed leg braces to correct his curved spine. But as his braces break up, he comes out to be an athlete. His fast-running talent earns him a football scholarship at the University of Alabama, where the greatest college football coach of all time, Bear Bryant, coaches him.
Forrest joined U.S. Army in 1966 after completing his graduation and befriends his fellow mate Benjamin Buford Blue also called Bubba. However, Bubba gets killed in operation in Vietnam. But emotionally traumatized, Forrest recollects his strength and takes charge, saving his leader Lieutenant Dan Taylor. He receives a Medal of Honor for his heroism by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
He briefly reunites with his now drug-addicted childhood friend cum love, Jenny, at an anti-war March on the Pentagon rally. His newly discovered talent for Ping Pong makes him an overnight sports celebrity. He gets an opportunity to meet President Richard Nixon and a room at the Watergate complex, where he unwillingly exposes the Watergate scandal.
Eventually, Forrest gets discharged from the army. He now works on his joint dream with Bubba to buy a shrimping boat and open a company. Forrest now successfully runs a Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, along with Lieutenant Dan, who finally admits his gratitude for Forrest saving him in the war. They become millionaires. Forrest gives half of his share to Bubba’s family and returns to his cancer patient mother.
Forrest Gump Ending
The ending of Forrest Gump movie shows a final reunion of Forrest with Jenny in 1976. She was influenced by the ongoing Hippie movement in America and became a drug addict. She returns to his friend and admits her love to Forrest. They spend some time together, but Jenny leaves the next morning. Forrest spends his next three years in a relentless cross-country marathon before returning to Greenbow.
As soon as he returns to his homeland, Forrest reunites with Jenny, who now has his son, named Forrest Gump Jr., with her. They get married. But destiny is really cruel to Forrest as Jenny dies a year later of their marriage fighting an unknown virus. This unknown virus was intended to be Hepatitis C (it was known as an ‘unknown virus’ during the 1980s until defined in April 1989) by the novel’s author, but the filmmakers intended it to be the contemporary killer, HIV/AIDS. In the closing scenes, Forrest is seen sending his son off for the first day of his school.
Conclusively, Forrest Gump was a film glorifying a low wit yet a multitalented and emotionally strong man. But, his fate was less complaisant to him in the case of love life. And this is what viewers feel in the ending scenes of Forrest Gump.
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