Why the controversy Matters?
David Barnwell
The movie loved by millions, an American classic, and a must watch for all generations to come, goes by the name of Forrest Gump. Almost every person you ask has probably seen this movie, and many absolutely adore it. Yet some critics have opened eyes to the underlying political agenda that is represented in the movie. The main character, Forrest Gump, is quoted by CNN as being “a God-fearing, All-American football player and war hero” who, despite a low IQ, gains financial success and prosperity(Griggs). He hails from red state Alabama and is the “epitome of wholesome decency”(Griggs). While many see Forrest as just that, others argue that he is the personification of the conservative party during that time period. On the other end of the spectrum we have Jenny; “a promiscuous hippie who joins the anti-war movement, hangs out with the black panthers, gets strung up on cocaine, . . . and eventually dies of an unknown disease” (Griggs). Jenny is seen to embody liberal values during the 60’s and the contrast in her ending versus Forrest’s’ is where some people draw the line.
While Forrest comes out a hero by living what many see as the classic conservative lifestyle, Jenny’s life is made to seem unappealing to the masses and her ending only reinforces that. While many movies tend to make political statements, this one is particularly worrisome to certain people because of its widespread acclaim and lack of realization on the influence it plays. Very few people think of Forrest Gump as piece of political propaganda, yet when introduced to the idea that there is a subverted message, it seems much clearer. Kids who watch the movie can be more greatly influenced by the underlying message, and although they may not understand it at the time it can certainly shape their ideals and values.
While this is much to consider, I still personally believe that it is a classic that should be viewed by any. It can be even more informative to watch the movie with a more political eye, and can tell a lot about the time period. For those who complain that it is too biased towards conservative values and should not lean so far right, I would point out the plethora of movies put out that push for the liberal agenda and support leftist values. The most important part is to not be too swayed by the message and to form your own opinions and beliefs, while also being conscious of the message that this movie, and other movies, are attempting to send.
While Forrest comes out a hero by living what many see as the classic conservative lifestyle, Jenny’s life is made to seem unappealing to the masses and her ending only reinforces that. While many movies tend to make political statements, this one is particularly worrisome to certain people because of its widespread acclaim and lack of realization on the influence it plays. Very few people think of Forrest Gump as piece of political propaganda, yet when introduced to the idea that there is a subverted message, it seems much clearer. Kids who watch the movie can be more greatly influenced by the underlying message, and although they may not understand it at the time it can certainly shape their ideals and values.
While this is much to consider, I still personally believe that it is a classic that should be viewed by any. It can be even more informative to watch the movie with a more political eye, and can tell a lot about the time period. For those who complain that it is too biased towards conservative values and should not lean so far right, I would point out the plethora of movies put out that push for the liberal agenda and support leftist values. The most important part is to not be too swayed by the message and to form your own opinions and beliefs, while also being conscious of the message that this movie, and other movies, are attempting to send.
some opinions on this controversy
Rausey Mason
Forrest Gump as a film is considered one of the most iconic movies of the late 20th century and won a number of awards including but not limited to Golden Globes, People’s Choice Awards, and Academy Awards for Best Actor, Director, and Best Picture. However, it has come under some scrutiny since it first came out in 1994. The main talking point has been the way it portrays different political parties during mid to late 1900’s. There are a number of arguments that people have spoken but the most consistent is that it portrays a boy who was made fun of for being “slow and crippled” who emulates the Republic party and their values that ends up becoming more successful than a talented, smart young woman who emulates the Democratic party and becomes a hippie that ends up contracting Autoimmune Deficiency Syndrome.
I have a strong fondness for this movie so it’s going to be hard to look at it in such a controversial light, but I can see where the scrutiny is coming from. Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) was a young man in the small town of Greenbow Alabama with an IQ of 75. He lived through and participated in a number of major historical events including the Vietnam War, Watergate, and the Integration of the University of Alabama. He ends up becoming an expert shrimper off the coast of Alabama with his friend Lieutenant Dan Taylor (Gary Sinise) and making an incredible about of money. Jenny Curran (Robin Wright) grew up in the same town as Forest and ended up going to an all-women’s college and studying in order to get a good job after she graduated. However, her passion for music lead her to becoming a folk singer that ends up in California as a political activist. Later into the film, her lifestyle causes her well-being to deteriorate as heavy drug usage and an abusive boyfriend only further diminish her happiness. Fortunately, Forrest and Jenny end up having a child in the end and Forrest becomes a father when Jenny dies of her disease.
Although the movie as a whole was an incredible cinematic creation, but looking at the general plot you can see where controversy arises. Critics have claimed that the way Jenny became a hippie who abused cocaine and hung out with a shady crowd is stereotyping the movement of the time which can be aligned to the Democratic party. It is shown in a demeaning fashion and doesn’t highlight the number of peaceful events lead by this group during the time. It then portrays Forest as a down to earth southern gentleman who just wants to be back with Jenny that might be a bit of a slow learner but is fast on the football field and a genuinely kind person to everyone he meets. His success and persona are shown in a highlight reel of events throughout his life and certainly portrayed to be happier than what Jenny had to go through. The way he lived is seen as a conservative lifestyle and this is where the real argument comes in.
Critics believe that it highlights the benefits of a conservative lifestyle and shames the democratic party. Personally, I love this movie for what it is as a story as well as its themes of kindness and perseverance with both parties in the form of Forrest and Jenny’s love story. Although the viewpoints of these critics are valid, the movie is still considered incredible and was momentous in the industry of film.
I have a strong fondness for this movie so it’s going to be hard to look at it in such a controversial light, but I can see where the scrutiny is coming from. Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) was a young man in the small town of Greenbow Alabama with an IQ of 75. He lived through and participated in a number of major historical events including the Vietnam War, Watergate, and the Integration of the University of Alabama. He ends up becoming an expert shrimper off the coast of Alabama with his friend Lieutenant Dan Taylor (Gary Sinise) and making an incredible about of money. Jenny Curran (Robin Wright) grew up in the same town as Forest and ended up going to an all-women’s college and studying in order to get a good job after she graduated. However, her passion for music lead her to becoming a folk singer that ends up in California as a political activist. Later into the film, her lifestyle causes her well-being to deteriorate as heavy drug usage and an abusive boyfriend only further diminish her happiness. Fortunately, Forrest and Jenny end up having a child in the end and Forrest becomes a father when Jenny dies of her disease.
Although the movie as a whole was an incredible cinematic creation, but looking at the general plot you can see where controversy arises. Critics have claimed that the way Jenny became a hippie who abused cocaine and hung out with a shady crowd is stereotyping the movement of the time which can be aligned to the Democratic party. It is shown in a demeaning fashion and doesn’t highlight the number of peaceful events lead by this group during the time. It then portrays Forest as a down to earth southern gentleman who just wants to be back with Jenny that might be a bit of a slow learner but is fast on the football field and a genuinely kind person to everyone he meets. His success and persona are shown in a highlight reel of events throughout his life and certainly portrayed to be happier than what Jenny had to go through. The way he lived is seen as a conservative lifestyle and this is where the real argument comes in.
Critics believe that it highlights the benefits of a conservative lifestyle and shames the democratic party. Personally, I love this movie for what it is as a story as well as its themes of kindness and perseverance with both parties in the form of Forrest and Jenny’s love story. Although the viewpoints of these critics are valid, the movie is still considered incredible and was momentous in the industry of film.
Scene analysis
edward yan
Released in 1994, Forrest Gump became one of the most well-known motion pictures in American history. While the writers and director of Forrest Gump claimed the movie had no political bias, contrarily, the movie implicitly has its own political element. With the 1994 Republican Revolution which resulted in an 8 and 54 seats gain for the Republican Party in the Senate and the House of Representatives respectively, Forrest Gump provides its own pro-Conservatism and anti-Liberalism bias.
One scene which demonstrates such bias is the portrayal of the Black Panther Party and Students for a Democratic Society. The Black Panther Party was a far-left Marxist-Leninist Black Nationalist political organization. Similarly, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) was also a radical Left student organization. Conservatives are surely and rightfully not fans of such organizations. In the movie, both organizations are portrayed as radical, violent and anti-American. When Forrest Gump encounters Jenny and members of the Black Panther Party and the SDS, he is immediately called a “baby killer” when he is seen with an Army uniform. Additionally, leaders of the Black Panther Party in the movie are strong against the War in Vietnam and refuse to send black teenagers to the war because America is a “country which hates Black people”. Finally, when Jenny is slapped by Wesley, the president of the SDS chapter at University of California, Berkeley, Forrest Gump stands out and starts to beat Wesley on the ground. At the end of the scene, it is showed that members of the Black Panther Party hold weapons and appear to be hostile to Forrest Gump. This again portrays the Black Panther Party as violent. Clearly, Forrest Gump is portrayed as a patriotic American hero who just came back from a brutal war and continue to fight for justice and righteousness back home and the far-left organizations are portrayed as violent and anti-American. This clearly fits into the right-wing narrative at the time.
One scene which demonstrates such bias is the portrayal of the Black Panther Party and Students for a Democratic Society. The Black Panther Party was a far-left Marxist-Leninist Black Nationalist political organization. Similarly, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) was also a radical Left student organization. Conservatives are surely and rightfully not fans of such organizations. In the movie, both organizations are portrayed as radical, violent and anti-American. When Forrest Gump encounters Jenny and members of the Black Panther Party and the SDS, he is immediately called a “baby killer” when he is seen with an Army uniform. Additionally, leaders of the Black Panther Party in the movie are strong against the War in Vietnam and refuse to send black teenagers to the war because America is a “country which hates Black people”. Finally, when Jenny is slapped by Wesley, the president of the SDS chapter at University of California, Berkeley, Forrest Gump stands out and starts to beat Wesley on the ground. At the end of the scene, it is showed that members of the Black Panther Party hold weapons and appear to be hostile to Forrest Gump. This again portrays the Black Panther Party as violent. Clearly, Forrest Gump is portrayed as a patriotic American hero who just came back from a brutal war and continue to fight for justice and righteousness back home and the far-left organizations are portrayed as violent and anti-American. This clearly fits into the right-wing narrative at the time.
some other controversies
jessica bishop
Forrest Gump is mainly controversial because of the way that it represents the right in an extremely positive way while it portrays the left as very useless hippies, it also has different controversial aspects to it. One of these controversies would be the blatant racism and disrespect toward the civil rights movement. Because Forrest Gump is seen as mentally handicapped many viewers have disregarded the different racist scenes as okay, as he doesn’t have much of a grip on reality. However, this is no excuse to act this way, and it is definitely not excusable to portray racism as executable if you are too ignorant to realize it.
An example of this in the movie would be at the beginning when Forrest sits down to an unknown black woman on a bench. However, when he sits down he begins talking about how he is descended and named after a popular confederate general who then later was the founder a “club” called the Ku Klux Klan. The fact that Forrest did not know that he was being blatantly racist is not realistic as he did go through plenty of years of schooling and lived in the south. In addition, it is also not acceptable that the script writers added this line as comedic relief while the black woman just sat there and did nothing. In addition, during one scene Forrest walks into a Black Panthers meeting to look for Jenny. Here, a member approaches Forrest and begins to talk about their views on civil rights and the war, however, Forrest completely ignores the man the whole time and walks away during their conversation. Having this scene shows the complete disrespect and disregard of the civil rights movement and also completely ignores the views of a black man.
Another controversy throughout the movie would be the way that it portrays women. Out of all the female roles in the movie, the only somewhat stable and independent woman was Forrest’s mother and even then she many times relied on a man. For example, she had to sleep with a man in order to keep Forrest in school. Out of the couple of female roles, the two most prominent and damaged ones would be Jenny and the prostitute inside of the general’s home. Jenny who grew up in a damaged environment is often insecure, manipulative, and confused about what she wants in life. While this is representing the writers’ views of the left, it is also somewhat conveying their attitudes on women. That all women are manipulative and often can’t get a grasp on life without a man. To supplement this would be the prostitute who is also manipulative and cruel as she laughs as the general falls out of his wheelchair and only uses him and Forrest for the sex.
Many would agree that these additional controversies would further compliment the argument that it sides with the right on every issue as many conservative views were racist and sexist throughout history. This could be translated to today as these issues are still prominent in our society and one of the biggest problems is stopping the ignorance that helps to fuel to racism and sexism. Forrest Gump is an excellent example of the fuel as Forrest himself is racist while he may not even know it, and what is worse is that the movie is never called out for the racist and sexist attitudes in it and continues to be a family classic.
An example of this in the movie would be at the beginning when Forrest sits down to an unknown black woman on a bench. However, when he sits down he begins talking about how he is descended and named after a popular confederate general who then later was the founder a “club” called the Ku Klux Klan. The fact that Forrest did not know that he was being blatantly racist is not realistic as he did go through plenty of years of schooling and lived in the south. In addition, it is also not acceptable that the script writers added this line as comedic relief while the black woman just sat there and did nothing. In addition, during one scene Forrest walks into a Black Panthers meeting to look for Jenny. Here, a member approaches Forrest and begins to talk about their views on civil rights and the war, however, Forrest completely ignores the man the whole time and walks away during their conversation. Having this scene shows the complete disrespect and disregard of the civil rights movement and also completely ignores the views of a black man.
Another controversy throughout the movie would be the way that it portrays women. Out of all the female roles in the movie, the only somewhat stable and independent woman was Forrest’s mother and even then she many times relied on a man. For example, she had to sleep with a man in order to keep Forrest in school. Out of the couple of female roles, the two most prominent and damaged ones would be Jenny and the prostitute inside of the general’s home. Jenny who grew up in a damaged environment is often insecure, manipulative, and confused about what she wants in life. While this is representing the writers’ views of the left, it is also somewhat conveying their attitudes on women. That all women are manipulative and often can’t get a grasp on life without a man. To supplement this would be the prostitute who is also manipulative and cruel as she laughs as the general falls out of his wheelchair and only uses him and Forrest for the sex.
Many would agree that these additional controversies would further compliment the argument that it sides with the right on every issue as many conservative views were racist and sexist throughout history. This could be translated to today as these issues are still prominent in our society and one of the biggest problems is stopping the ignorance that helps to fuel to racism and sexism. Forrest Gump is an excellent example of the fuel as Forrest himself is racist while he may not even know it, and what is worse is that the movie is never called out for the racist and sexist attitudes in it and continues to be a family classic.