I recently watched the movie Forrest Gump. I’m not sure why I hadn’t watched it when it first came out – back in 1994 (um, maybe two small children), nor in the 20 years since in any number of movie formats. However, when I noticed that it was available on Netflix I decided to watch it, especially given that so many classic lines came from that movie, for example, one of my favourite ones, which Forrest quotes often from his mother:
‘Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.’
But what I liked most about his movie, which I didn’t even realize until I watched it: Forrest Gump is a running movie! OK, lots of you will say, duh! Well, I didn’t know that. It is not like the classic Chariots of Fire or the adorable little Saint Ralph movie. I just thought Forrest Gump was about a simple man who became a unlikely hero, successful business man and was madly in love with Jenny.
“Me and Jenny goes together like peas and carrots.” – Forrest
The first running scene takes place when Forrest is peacefully walking with Jenny down a country lane, when by a group of boys on bikes start bullying him and throwing rocks. To escape, Jenny tells him to “Run Forrest! Run!” I loved this scene as his leg movements are transformed from awkward, painful looking straight-legs to flaying side movements to bent knees where the leg braces fly off his rapidly moving legs. Let that be a lesson… There may be things that hold us back, but we can overcome them and move forward, given the right motivation.
As he grew older and because he ran so fast – completely unplanned – right through a football practice session, he was recruited by a college football team, thereby earning a college degree (not sure what subject that was in, but this ain’t no documentary). It is amazing what rewards running can bring!
He ran when he was in Vietnam being attacked by the enemy (hearing Jenny’s voice in his head “Listen, you promise me something, OK? Just if you’re ever in trouble, don’t be brave. You just run, OK? Just run away.”). He then became an unlikely hero, rescuing his fellow soldiers. You never know what you can do when driven by fear and love.
Following his mother death and Jenny leaving him – again – he ran and ran and ran “for 3 years, 2 months, 14 days, and 16 hours.” Now that was an ultra-ultra-ultra marathon!
There are so many take-away messages and life lessons in this movie and, as if it is not obvious, so many of them have to do with running. If you are a runner and have not seen this movie, watch it… even if you have seen it before, watch it again; it is inspiring, entertaining and poignant.
In addition, the period music – mostly from the ’50’s and 60’s is wonderful and of course so many great quotes, including one about a “fruit company” which made me laugh out loud!
“Lieutenant Dan got me invested in some kind of fruit company [Apple computer]. So then I got a call from him, saying we don’t have to worry about money no more. And I said, that’s good! One less thing.” -Forrest
Now get out there and run like Forrest Gump!
I am a runner.
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