FORREST GUMP REACTION - First Time Watching - Movie Reaction

[@NewfieMovieReactions]

Sorry for the audio on my mic not being the best in this one, I left my desk fan on by mistake and also my voice was rasp from Covid. I edited it the best I could. COMMENT BELOW with what movies you want me to do next, and also your thoughts on this amazing film!

[@no1takethisname]

Theres so many movies i want to suggest, but heres just three Cold Mountain- long movie based in the US cilvil war Unleashed- Jet Lee movie Gothika- Hallie Barry thriller/horror movie

[@Mr_M_]

I didn't notice it until I read this comment 😂

[@pamelalee1508]

Hi 🙋... Your audio was fine..I wouldn't have known there was a problem..👍... My favorite movie is.. 💥...August Rush..👍💚😁... However another that will keep your intrest..won 8 awards..huge cast... 💥...Chicago...🎵🎶... I hope you're doing better...I really enjoyed How to Train Your Dragon 3...so sweet !...thanks for the entertainment...🌿🌿🌿

[@JohnHazelwood58]

thanks for sharing your reaction! it was a good one (as it was a good movie, too) and i liked it a lot! :) all the best to you from germany. oh, and maybe you want to check out the movie "the game" with michael douglas. one of my favs movies ever, since i saw it at the theatre back in 1997.

[@jgreen2015]

So... The hotel and Nixon resigning was the Watergate scandal. Where Nixon got some thugs to break into the DNC offices at the Watergate Hotel and steal some documents. As a Brit I find it incredible that you're unaware of that 😂 Some other more subtle things most people seem to miss are: The Nike's Jenny gets him are the original Nike running shoe. They were made specifically for this new fad (from Europe) of running as exercise. It was considered v strange at the time for people to run for 'no reason'. Here though, the Nike's came first and Forrest invents running 'aimlessly'. Jenny has HIV/AIDs. It's the 80s. It's a 'new virus that the doctors have never seen before' after a life of promiscuous sex and drug abuse, including heroin.

[@saaamember97]

I've noticed that a lot of reviewers miss how far Lt. Dan had come in his life, by the end of the movie. When we first saw him he was very racist (Calling the Vietnamese "Gooks"), and always referring to Forrest by his last name. It was on the Gulf where we first see the growth that he went through, when he finally thanked Forrest for saving his life. Then, at the wedding, he called Forrest by his first name, for the first time. Additionally, we were introduced to Lt. Dan's fiance, a beautiful Asian woman. Yes, Lt. Dan had done a lot of growing as a human being!

[@emmigration]

Jenny was the one who didn't know what love was. She couldn't even love herself. Forest knew full well what love was.

[@tkurz3071]

According to Tom Hanks, Forrest’s speech at the rally was as follows: “Sometimes when people go to Vietnam, they go home to their mommas without any legs. Sometimes they don’t go home at all. That’s a bad thing. That’s all I have to say about that.”

[@Ironmew05]

Fun fact: There's actually a restaurant called Bubba-Gump Shrimp in San Antonio, Texas. My family and I have been there a few times and they do not disappoint. They have Forrest Gump memorabilia hanging all over the walls. And they play the movie non stop on the TVs they have. 😊

[@ieyke]

Jenny's not chasing a dream of being famous. Jenny is doing exactly what she told Forrest to do. She's running. She's constantly running away. She grew up wanting to run away. She grew up with a twisted abusive view on love. She doesn't know what it's like to be loved. Every time her love for Forrest draws her back in, his love for her makes her nervous and she runs again. Eventually she figures it out. But by the time she figures it out she doesn't think she's worthy of Forrest, so she leaves to spare him her chaos. But in the end she gets sick, and finally realizes that none of her shit matters, and Forrest had it right all along.

[@theronleague7692]

This right here sums up Jenny so well. That is exactly why she could never stay with him.

[@vinchinzo594]

No, his love does not make her nervous and run away. Her fear of destroying, and not deserving, someone pure combined with a desperate inner need to escape her childhood demons makes her run.

[@brightize2651]

Not sure why so many people cannot understand this, I've heard so many negative opinions about Jenny.

[@vinchinzo594]

@@TheChrisPineWorkshop No she didn't, this is the weirdest and creepiest take possible. Forrest is a full grown adult who is attracted to Jenny. She in NO WAY did the same thing as her father. You're tripping.

[@TheChrisPineWorkshop]

@@vinchinzo594 I did not explain that very well! I was not meaning to say she was literally doing what her father did. One possibility is that Jenny leaves to avoid corrupting Forest. Forest is very innocent. Jenny believes that her lifestyle would not be compatible to Forest’s good nature. " We have very different lives" She leaves because she does not want to corrupt the mind of a man that is very innocent. Jenny feels like she did something wrong by having sex with a man that is mentally 12 years old. She expresses this view of him being "immature" in what she says to him at different times in the movie IE: "Forest you don't know what love is" etc... I was not trying to be " weird or tripping". I am saying her perception could have been this way. Her perception about a lot of things was incorrect because of her trauma. this could be part of her struggle as a result of the abuse. No offense was intended !

[@angelagraves865]

When Forrest is at the hotel that Nixon set him up in and he's on the phone saying there are people with flashlights in another room, that's Watergate. Nixon ended up resigning over it.

[@iDontShareMyData]

I was surprised Eddie didn't know about the Watergate scandal. (and it's not a "Canadian thing". My wife is Canadian, and she knew about the break-in) I suspect it's a generational thing. Remember, Watergate happened Fifty-One years ago!!!

[@ekajkroy5456]

The reason Lt. Dan doesn't have a chair at the wedding is because Forrest expected him to be in his wheelchair. He had no idea he had prosthetic legs now.

[@sam_c95]

You have one of the best appreciations of Jenny's character for a first time viewer, really looking to empathise with her and understand her. I appreciate that, reflects super well on your personality. Many people just end up hating her at first.

[@alansorensen5903]

Jenny was Forrest's best friend ever, and rather than leading him on, she lived her destiny on the breeze.

[@the_nikster1]

oh one more thing: Jenny had no way of telling Forrest about their son because when she found out she was pregnant, he was running around the world for 3 years (remember, this was before cell phones) and was only able to get the letter out to him in hopes he would see it when he got back.

[@gregweatherup9596]

He wasn’t at home to get her letter, just like earlier in the movie she wasn’t at home to get his letters from Vietnam (they were all returned marked “undeliverable”).

[@lewstone5430]

FK Jenny

[@jgreen2015]

That's assuming it IS his son.. Really wouldn't put it past Jenny to have just tricked him when she found out she was going to die and Forrest was rich lol

[@SEDYT358]

@@jgreen2015 Strange assumption considering she never asked anything of him

[@jgreen2015]

@@SEDYT358 skepticism doesn't mean assume the opposite

[@devontopp3857]

My favorite little touch in this movie is Lt. Dan in the back standing during the wedding. All those years confined in his wheelchair, he takes every chance he gets to stand and not be sitting.

[@devontopp3857]

Also, a movie not a lot of people know about for some reason but has a great cast is a fun watch is Lucky Number Slevin

[@MarshaLove0723]

Jenny finally marrying Forrest - she didn't think she deserved him for years, but them being married was best for Jr; Forrest didn't have to deal with anyone trying to deny him custody after she died because of his IQ - he is the father and was already married to the mother. Some people think she returned because he had money 🙄, but he had money before she left that last time. And like others have said, she couldn't let him know about Jr earlier because he started running right after she left, and ran for years before going back home.

[@vitaboy]

Exactly. She left right after they slept together so 9 months later, she has Forrest Jr. But Forrest Sr was basically running across America and kept running for 3+ years. After he gets back, he discovers he has a letter from Jenny, who found out about Forrest was running because he’s on all these magazine covers. So when Forrest is out in Savanah to meet Jenny, Forrest Jr is barely 4 years old. This is the earliest possible moment Forrest Sr. could have met Jenny again. So many people are so intent on finding reasons to hate Jenny, who had to overcome a childhood filled with sexually trauma (yet these same people never question the anger and rejecting the world that Lt. Dan goes through after losing his legs), but the movie literally tells you Jenny write Forrest about his son AS SOON AS POSSIBLE because little Forrest is at most 4 years old when they get meet.

[@Deepthoughtsabound]

I think, little Forest, helped her trust in love. It was how she was with him. She found that she was worthy of love. I'd like to think that she would make the same choice with or without the illness.

[@RoadDoug]

Yeah, it was Jenny that did the most running. And she couldn’t feel worthy of Forrest’s love. One of the best movies I have ever seen. Stellar reaction too.

[@David-ru8tc]

One of my favorite details about the movie is the old guys, watching the news in that one shop for decades, while he's on the other side of the TV screen, changing history.

[@maryrichardson1318]

Gary Sinise, who plays Lt. Dan, is also a musician. The name of his band is the Lt. Dan Band. He does a lot of charity work for wounded warriors and veterans.

[@michellelamar8965]

At the end you made the connection of the feather with Jenny’s prayer. But did you notice when he walks away from their tree after visiting her grave a whole flock of birds take off from the tree and fly away? He pauses to watch it.

[@NewfieMovieReactions]

No, I missed that part. Thank you for pointing that out. :)

[@Neyenn]

Crazy thing, i have read that the birds were a total coincidence, they just were there when they shoot the scene and they casually take off on the right moment

[@tommymash9020]

I always thought of the feather being symbolic about him talking about how our lives are just on a breeze. Not knowing where the wind is taking it. Just landing where it’s supposed to.

[@GrumpyOldGuyPlaysGames]

That moment where Forrest, confronted with the knowledge that he is a father, asks, "Is he smart? Or is he..." and then gestures to himself. Punches me right in the soul every time I see it. Every single time. Forrest is well aware of his limitations.

[@Imylover]

My fav moment in the whole movie, & that says a lot! And what makes it so special is, first, Tom's out of this world top class acting. And second, that it also reveals that Forrest is not as dumb as most (in the film) take him for. He may not understand much but he does understand that his low intelligence is considered a problem by society. He has no problems with it himself but society around him does & despite his own fantastic approach to his limitation & all the first reaction he has about learning he has a son is that his son shall not go through the same problems as he did himself. This is one of the best moments of unconditional love ever put to film.

[@83gemm]

My mom is a teacher and she always worked with what they called “slow” kids back in the 70s and 80s. She just thrived on the little victories. When we went to see this and she heard that line, she actually buckled over sobbing. Only time I remember her doing that in a movie theater.

[@deeanna8448]

That scene stands out to me, and I always wonder if it was intended to be that impactful, or if Tom Hanks just acted the hell out of it and made it that way.

[@JessieNebulousGaming]

It is an amazing bit of acting. Though to be fair, I don't think it's about his "limitations" as much as he is aware of how people TREAT him for his intelligence. Having limitations really isn't as difficult as people think it is. I'm physically disabled myself, and it really doesn't bother me nearly as much as people assume. What's far more difficult is the way people treat you for being disabled. That can be rough sometimes.

[@zuzauramek9850]

Fun Facts: Actor Tom Hanks's accent adult Forest is a real accent of a child actor who plays young Forest. That kid was from deep Mississippi.

[@83gemm]

When you saw the driver smoking and said, “Well, it was the 80s,” I started cracking up. Forest would have been a kid in the FIFTIES. 😂

[@rawschri]

So was the Doctor ! Always amuses me that Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin and General Eisenhower were enthusiastic smokers, whilst the Axis/Nazi leaders, Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito were virulently anti-tobacco !!

[@Jsd8675]

He's not the brightest

[@the_nikster1]

you pretty much got it right about Jenny; due to her traumatic past, she felt that she wasn't worthy of love (particularly Forrest's love). she really did love him so much and that's why she kept running away from him, because she felt like she was bad for him. growing up with an abusive father gives one a pretty f*cked up view of love, ya know? thanks for being one of the more understanding reactors when it comes to Jenny. many people flat out hate her but don't see the bigger picture about her mental health. ❤

[@Goomyx1492]

It always blows my mind how unforgiving some people are towards Jenny. Yes, in general, she is still responsible for the bad choices she makes. But it's easy to sympathize with her if you have any amount of empathy or understanding about abuse and trauma. If you care about someone like Jenny, all you can really do is be there for them, and hope that they eventually learn that they can count on you. Forrest did this. It's crazy to me that so many people can't seem to learn from his example. What's sad is that a lot of those viewers look down on Forrest too and think that he's just being ignorant.

[@Deorman]

@@Goomyx1492 People just asume that because Forest is a good guy he's entilted to Jenny's love, which is fucked up.

[@stevesheroan4131]

I’ve watched numerous reactions to FG, and this gent understood Jenny and the reasons she acted the way she did about as quickly as anyone ever. I’ve also read a few comments from reactors who have re-evaluated their position on Jenny after having some time to understand her and having her actions explained by viewers. Kudos to those guys for admitting they may have been too harsh. One thing I don’t think I’ve ever heard a reactor remark on is that Lt. Dan’s fiancé is an Asian lady, which I think is meant to show the true depth of his post-war healing. He is not harboring any resentment toward anyone any more. It’s just another detail I this masterpiece.

[@lesasmart6043]

Plus when she reaches out and that first sexual encounter goes so badly. Really she was sexualky abused I think it made her feel bad. In many ways he's like a child.

[@the_nikster1]

speaking of Lt. Dan, I also find it interesting that hardly anyone gets angry at him for how horribly he treats Forrest after the war. he’s straight up mean to him at first and shows no gratitude to Forrest for literally saving his life, yet people are more angry about Jenny. hmmm…I wonder why? 🤔

[@nathantaylor1618]

the part of the speech that is silenced he says " Sometimes in war you make friends like Bubba, an sometimes those friends Don't come home but you do.." and that's all I have to say about that.

[@that.ll_do_pig]

I've never heard that version before. I've always heard it as "some go home to mama with no legs. some don't go home at all..."

[@shadowgam3]

The part where the Flashlight kept Forrest up, was the Water Gate Scandle

[@SA-hf3fu]

The symbology of the feather - “ I don’t know if we each have a destiny, or if we’re all just floating around accidental-like on a breeze. But I think maybe it’s both. Maybe both is happening at the same time”. ~ Forrest Gump

[@annie9151]

You actually “got” a lot of Jenny’s issues WAY better than most other reactors I’ve watched. Well done!

[@itsjuliescottyay]

Jenny’s behavior was classic for someone who went through sexual abuse as a child. They didn’t give kids therapy back then, they just moved them to a different living situation. Girls in that situation frequently abused drugs, became sexually overactive, and went through one abusive relationship after another. Sadly, it still happens.

[@Eggolas]

One of the only movies that consistently brings me to tears.

[@JVTrickypants]

The CGI of this movie at the time was absolutely way above most anything we'd seen before (except Terminator 2). The putting him in the historical films and the removing of Lieutenant Dan's legs were so cutting edge.

[@FollowingGhost]

The writer said in an interview that Jenny had hepatitis C, for years I thought it was aids because of the time frame. One of my favorite movies.

[@michellelamar8965]

From what I understand the book is quite different than the movie from what I know about the book I actually have no interest in reading it. So this by the fact that it is based on a book the screen writers and directors were not attempting to stay faithful to it (thank goodness). So with that said, despite what the book says I believe 1000% that the screen writer/directors were most definitely trying to imply that she had HIV /AIDS. And I will die on that hill it’s 1981/82 when the virus was starting to affect people but they did not even know what it was and people died of it quickly

[@FollowingGhost]

@@michellelamar8965 correct which is exactly my reasoning until I read the interview. It just happens if I understand it correctly the 2 diseases happened at the same time and no one knew what to do about them. Either way the story remains the same. Thanks for the reply.

[@lesasmart6043]

@@michellelamar8965 I agree, when I saw it in the 90s everyone assumed it was HIV, after all she lived a high risk lifestyle.

[@msj2677]

I can’t count how many reaction videos I’ve seen watching Forrest Gump! It’s remains my favorite movie of all time.

[@NewfieMovieReactions]

Nice! This movie has such a beautiful story.

[@deeanna8448]

I think you are correct. Jenny had been made to feel unworthy of love due to her childhood abuse. She got into a pattern of abusive relationships because she felt she didn't deserve better. Forest was so pure and good and she (in her mind) was broken, dirty, and had nothing to offer. She thought Forest deserved better.

[@shainewhite2781]

Winner of 6 Oscars including Best Picture. John Travolta, Bruce Willis, John Goodman and Denzel Washington were considered for the title character, until Tom Hanks was cast

[@janeldavis905]

It's so refreshing to see a reactor who really tried to understand Jenny instead of just hate on her the whole time. Great reaction! Thanks for sharing

[@dannyboi6636]

I watched this movie in my US History class in High School and it is interesting because Forrest just managed to weave himself into so much history LOL! The scene where he is staying in a hotel watching people go through files with bright lights in another building is actually Forrest experiencing the Watergate Scandal that cause Nixon to resign as President.

[@tapoemt3995]

Thank you for bringing up all those years he lost with his Son. "Uh oh, I'm getting sicker, better call his Father and marry him so my Son is taken care of before I kick the bucket."

[@JeremyAustin-hw1qy]

Some facts about this movie tom hanks daughter was the red headed girl on the bus when young forrest is looking for a sest on the bus and toms brother did all the running scenes

[@ferrisulf]

It was wonderful to see you come to understand Jenny. Many reactors don't get how much childhood trauma (especially the kind she endured) can mess someone up. You're right: She knew Forrest loved her. She felt unworthy of that love, and that he deserved better than her. The movie does a great but heartbreaking job of portraying this.

[@marjalap793]

Hidden Figures from 2016 is based on a true story such a good movie!! And also Green book! From 2018 both stories are filmed in the 60s

[@thaisseachick4529]

When the four month long rain stopped and you were like “oh you gotta enjoy-“ then gunfire and pandemonium, honestly the most genuine reaction I’ve seen for so long. You were sincerely startled by the turn of events lol

[@DecSteele]

I love how quickly Lt Dan defends forest when the hookers call him stupid 🥲 DONT YOU EVER CALL HIM STUPID !!!!

[@cyrilmauras4247]

The feather at the beginning and end represents Forest's life, floating around on a breeze.

[@sirjohnmara]

04:11 "It's the 80's" Hahahaha. Yes, with the young Elvis and all in the good old 1980's! ( I know you probably ment 50's 🙂)

[@illam9500]

Forests speech: "some people come home to their mama with no legs. Some people don't come home at all. That's a bad thing" Also thank you for taking it easy on Jenny and understanding her trauma. A lot of people are way too harsh to her. Forest isn't the only one who was running.

[@vandergrad]

"Three years of running before he got tired. What part of the country is he even in?" -- Well, if you've ever been there, you'd know that stretch of road... it leads up to Monument Valley, and it's one of the most spectacular views I've ever seen.

[@JediDanD]

Funny thing is, I didn't realize until I was in college that the Principal banged Forrest's mom. I seen the movie many times since high school and (not knowing what I was watching at the time), watched a good hour+ of it when I was like seven years old when it was on TV). Anyway, the Principal asked about Forrest's father and then cuts to them banging in the house. Before college, I always thought it was the father; Mr. Gump having some kind of temper tantrum like "You're not gonna do as I say, woman?! EEEEH! EEEEH! EEEEH! EEEEH!" XD And then the Principal (who I didn't realize then was the Principal) walks out of the house, I thought he was "Daddy Gump" leaving and never coming back; before Forrest asked "What does vacation mean, where daddy went?" 30:09 The Lord showed up and also brought a T-Rex . . . :3 Why is Jenny calling Forrest all of a sudden after she already had a child for so many years? After listening to many videos by KZbinr: Strong Successful Male, I'd be questioning if Jenny only contacted Forrest for child support, and of course a DNA test . . .

[@klevver1981]

I'm excited to see your reaction. This is my favorite movie ever. It's one of those movies I can watch over and over and not get tired of it.

[@baskervillebee6097]

Gary Sinise, the Lt Dan actor, has a band called the Lt Dan Band. He does a lot charity for Veterans. The thing with Nixon was Watergate. Did you notice it was the same bus driver that took him to school?

[@michaelatteberry6462]

WOW! Another great reaction. I lived thru those times so some of the scenes - I am 72 - so I was impacted more by some of the happenings. I was glad to see you were not so harsh with Jenny and remembered about her childhood. In the 60s there was not much support for those situations

[@carolineandrews200]

Fun fact about this movie….the majority of it was filmed in a place called Beaufort, SC (including the scenes from Vietnam). I live about 2 hours away from there and it’s truly a beautiful place. The bench scenes were filmed in Savannah, GA, and the actual bench was removed in order to preserve it. Just some cool movie trivia!!

[@knew3355]

Yes, this movie is deserving to be called one of the best movies of all time. Great reaction, thank you.

[@jesterforhire]

Watching your reaction now…I’m so happy you picked this one. When Forrest is getting on the bus at the beginning, it’s not the 80’s yet. More like the sixties. Seattle is sending you love! 💕💜💕

[@NewfieMovieReactions]

I believe I mentioned the 80's for the first bus that pulled up while Forrest sat on the bench because it said 1981 Bus on the side of it. But yeah, I think When forest was a boy it was like the 60's or something. :)

[@angelalurtz3638]

@Samantha Parmley no, he saw a sign on the bus that pulled up while adult Forrest was on the bench, and it specifically SAID 1981. Then when the school bus pulled up he did incorrectly say "well, it was the 80's" but that doesn't mean he looked at all the 50's hallmarks and just deduced it was the 80's, lol

[@angelalurtz3638]

@@NewfieMovieReactions well, when the school bus pulled up and she was smoking the cigarette you said "well, it WAS the 80's", so I'm sure that's what they're referencing. It was very right the first time but very amusing the second time, lol

[@angelalurtz3638]

@Samantha Parmley he was correct with his assessment when he first made it, that's my point. Then he accidentally said it again even though there had been a backwards time jump. He never saw the clothes and vehicles THEN assumed 80's, as you're stating.

[@seebee925]

Whenever Forrest says "Jenny, ..." I get tears in my eyes. It's on of those rare movies where you keep laughing and crying at the same time 😄😢. I think this is still my favorite movie with Tom Hanks *"Run Forrest run"*

[@johnirwing2571]

In essence Jenny was always running away from life, Forrest is running towards it.

[@toukie]

Tom hanks learned to talk like the little actor who played Forrest so the boy wouldn't have to lose his accent

[@ashley227202]

Not me watching a reaction video, having seen this movie a ton of times, HYSTERICALLY crying 🫠

[@HarlowTheoryX]

This is one of my favourite movie's of all time, I hear too many reactions's mentioning Jenny in a negative light. Hardly anyone who's gone through that trauma has ever reacted in a "normal" or healthy way. Jenny didn't know how to be loved and let alone to even know how to cope healthily. It's really hard to deal with PTSD now, let alone back then 🖤

[@jesterforhire]

During that time…she couldn’t reach him. He was on the road running while she was raising their baby. . No cell phones or high speed computers. Things were much different at that time. I was born in Seattle, WA in 1970. This is one of my favorite movies to watch reactions to. I’m so relieved that you were sympathetic to Jenny. Great job! I’ll be back. I bet you would love anything that Robin Williams was in…drama or comedy. Good Will Hunting, The Dead Poet’s Society, Good Morning Vietnam or What Dreams May Come. You will LOVE them. 💜💕💜

[@livithecow]

Omg I LOVE dead poets society highly recommend

[@TOYSTITCHER]

Ahhh, Forest Gump 🥴💕 So many lessons…for everyone. A work of genius IMHO…. Thanks for the Excellent reaction 🤗 I’ve watched it several times before but, somehow, you made it live again…magic ✨👍

[@NewfieMovieReactions]

Glad you enjoyed it Thanks!

[@lolalo6344]

Almost all the events in the movie did happen, just you know, not to one person. There was a scandal of someone posing in playboy in her school jacket. There was footage of a soldier dying by the river in Vietnam saying he wanted to go home, the US ping pong team did beat China. Etc. Etc. BTW the event with the president resigning was the Watergate scandal.

[@paulcurlin2789]

4:15 It wasn't the 80s but the much earlier when Elvis was starting out. Smoking was "Not" a health hazard then 🙂

[@sannaolsson9106]

One of my favorite movies ❤️ I'm so glad you realized why Jenny was doing the things she did, because of her horrible childhood. Most people who react to this movie are so mean to her.

[@krisfrederick5001]

My Mom looked exactly like Sally Field when I was a kid, my best friend and I were convinced she had a secret movie career. And that's all I have to say about that 👀 P.S. I love how Lt. Dan mentions how his new magic legs are made from the same material as the Space Shuttle...the next year Forrest and Lt. Dan are in Apollo 13th together. Coincidence?

[@hennakettunen8755]

Yeah, and in the bar he says that when Private Gump becomes a shrimp boat captain, he'll be his first mate. And, that he'll be an astronaut.

[@JessieNebulousGaming]

I appreciate the compassion you had for Jenny once you made the connection between her childhood trauma and her later behavior. That kind of abuse really messes you up until you confront it and find healing, and it was especially difficult back then, because mental health wasn't really considered often and there weren't very many resources for people struggling with it.

[@opalviking]

For me, the feather has always symbolized Forrest Jr. it floats onto Forrest’s foot while waiting for the bus in Savannah. And flies away again when Jr goes off to school.

[@ryanswaynow]

You figured out the year this movie takes place before a single word of dialogue was spoken just by looking at the model of the bus?! Is there a way to give a video multiple thumbs up?!!?

[@NewfieMovieReactions]

Hahaha thanks. :) Just pointing out the sign on the bus. :)

[@ryanswaynow]

@@NewfieMovieReactions wait you’re telling me I’ve been watching this movie since I was a kid in the 90s more times than I can count and I never noticed that the year is written on the damn bus? I guess stupid really is as stupid does…

[@sharonhoyt2133]

Every event in Forrest's life is a historical moment that most people my age would recognize. The author of the book that this movie was built on was a genius in coordinating a book about so many subjects and events in a single story. Thank you Winston Groom for writing this story and to all of the creative people who turned it into an excellent movie. Great review/reaction!

[@belindalopes6774]

That was the Watergate moment.

[@amberaegard]

The ending scene gets me every time

[@dwarf365]

Well you just earned the only spot in my subscription box for a reactor. This movie is my judge and you passed in my book with flying colors. I have yet to find another that pays attention and understands what TF is going on. Example : you caught the braces before they were shoved in your face. As a bonus my sub box won't get flooded with TV shows I don't care about. Nice :) lol

[@NewfieMovieReactions]

Wow. Thank you. I hope you enjoy my future and past content. :)

[@WHYtheband]

Glad we found you on this huge platform. You reactions remind us of the power of film and art. Respect to you from a little band in Winnipeg🇨🇦.✌️

[@NewfieMovieReactions]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@dagelijksedosisinternet3591]

*Top 5 movies of all time*

[@NewfieMovieReactions]

I can see why. It was sooo good.

[@belvagurr403]

Break in at the Watergate led to the resignation of Nixon and prison time for his close employees. Dan Rather wrote THE PALACE GUARD about it.

[@mildredpierce4506]

Forest’s mom is played by Sally Fields. She’s been acting since she was a kid.

[@paulsutubification]

When Jenny finally shows up, it always gets me how she cleans forest like her life depends on it.

[@cinemacodey]

As usual im crying at the end 🥺😭

[@fredgoutier6162]

THIS MOVIE IS AN ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE❗️❗️❗️ In my top 5 BEST film ever and makes me cry like a baby

[@jamieminton1247]

I would add that one egg that most people don't get is the reference to the space shuttle when they're talking about Lt. Dan's new legs. In the book, Forrest is also an astronaut!

[@BelleDede01]

Here's some tidbit of info: 1) Gary Sinise (the man sitting on the porch of the house talking about John Coffey) was the second movie that Gary did with Tom called the Green Mile. The first one was this one, the second one was the Green Mile and the third was Appollo 13. In the scene where Lt Dan shows his new legs (titanium same as the shuttle), gives a hint of Appollo 13. Gary was so recognized after the movie Forest Gump, that people started seeing him in public and saying Hi Lt Dan ... so Gary started a band called the Lt Dan Band, and goes around to entertain the Veterans and is heavily involved with the Veterans and military as he has many in his immediate family (and his wife's family) that went to war and knows about PTSD, etc. Listen to his story here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZPFhYKgd85qpKM Also, of course Gary Sinise would be at the same function as Michael and took to the stage to do a tribute to Hanks. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHPLfWWFr9mafLs BTW, here is a video of Tom Hanks surprising Gary Sinise, as Forest Gump when the Lt Dan Band is doing a live concert. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5LGY4acirp6kLc

[@ChrisJohnson-ql1xn]

Once were warriors.... nobody ever reacts to it. such a heart wrenching piece of cinema ... and a familiar face from the galaxy you may know

[@tempsitch5632]

And a familiar voice. The mother plays the leader of those tall necked white things in Attack Of The Clones. Random coincidences; I met Tem at my film festival in Australia and then years later I met Rena at my bar in los angeles when she was here working for Lucas.

[@realsies9387]

The three scenes from this movie that stick with me are when Bubba is dying and Forrest says “Bubba was my best good friend and even I know that ain’t something you can just find around the corner”. When lt dan defends Forrest and screams at the girl not to call him stupid and when Forrest says “I’m not a smart man but I know what love is”. All those scenes are beautiful.

[@wizloon9052]

When Forrest is talking to Jenny at her grave he says "You died on a Saturday morning". The date on the headstone "March 22, 1982" was a Monday.

[@WanderingRoe]

This movie definitely is in a league all its own. The last few segments in particular are so thought-provoking and it ends on a perfect note. :) As always, love the reaction and I’m glad you got to experience this one!

[@mogwiawolf4354]

Grew up watching this movie and love it

[@Deepthoughtsabound]

My swim team celebrated the last day of nationals in TN, by going to the movies. Most of my HS mates went to "The Mask", I went to FG. I walked out about 15 minutes after they did. They just kept saying "smokin" over and over again. I loved this movie, even then. The Mask is pretty darn funny though.

[@grumpyoldman7562]

26:30 references the Watergate scandal. Basically, the Nixon Administration (Republican) orchestrated a break-in at the Democratic National Committee HQ in the Watergate Office Building. The Nixon Administration tried to cover up their involvement in it, but ultimately the scandal led to Richard Nixon's resignation as President. In the movie, it's Forrest Gump (of course) who reports the break-in due to the flashlights keeping him awake. Great reaction, by the way.

[@SimoExMachina2]

I think he says something in the lines of "war is terrible", in his own words during the speech with cut out voice.

[@angelalurtz3638]

"Sometimes people go to war and they come back with no legs. Sometimes they don't come back at all, and that's a bad thing. That's all I have to say about that."

[@dwarf365]

One of my favorite movies viewed by one of my favorite reactors! Sweet! Gotta get prepared for this one.

[@Courdorygirl]

It's never really said in the movie (I have not read the book, so if someone has maybe they can fill in), but my headcanon when she leaves the last time (before Forrest takes off running) Jenny is taking herself to rehab, possibly finding out she was pregnant while there. When he catches up with her, she apologizes. It's one of the 12 steps recovering addicts go through.

[@michellelamar8965]

Never thought of that possibly (that she was leaving for rehab at that moment .. I mean i knew obviously she cleaned herself up at some point before she saw him next.) it’s a cool thought. Maybe she had decided she wanted to be with him but knew she needed to clean up first… maybe once she was done, she was unable to fund/reach him due to his cross-county trips.

[@larasemerad2605]

I use to volunteer at Kennedy Center across Water gate Hotel.

[@jeanb.5405]

Yes all those things happened in history, but not all to one guy. This was an amazing way to show history and the value of a person who others think is less than they are but who has a lot to give in life. Jenny was damaged as a child and kept running from how that made her feel, she just never felt worthy of Forest but when she had her boy, she wanted to be sure Forest knew him and he would grow up with him; She likely had gotten aids from the needles she was using. Dying sometimes brings out the best in people.

[@imbrianbreon]

Another personal favorite along these lines is BIG FISH. Fascinating story.

[@anjelica948]

The events in the film more or less happened, just not to one single individual. The part with the hotel and the flashlights, it was meant to be a parody of the Watergate scandal, where members of President Nixon’s government were trying to steal sensitive documents in order to execute a cover-up, and in the film, Gump is who gets them caught. Obviously them being caught was different in real life, but that’s an example of the conceit of the film. Jenny was likely physically and/or sexually abused by her father. And even though she left that house when she was relatively young, that kind of trauma can seriously warp a person- as shown by her constant need for escape. She definitely shows signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (ironically the same thing Lt. Dan also struggles with). She constantly pushes Forrest away because PTSD often times makes people believe that no one can ever be truly relied on, as well as giving this false belief that they are ‘sick’ and will taint/ruin anyone who tries to get close to them. Jenny doesn’t want to ‘poison’ Forrest with her baggage. But she craves stability and safety, so she goes back to him repeatedly. This is a super common pattern with people who have childhood trauma, along with using drugs and promiscuity. Jenny ultimately contracted HIV, either through drug use, risky sexual contact, or both. Back in the early 80s, doctors didn’t have a good grasp on what it was, so almost everyone who contracted the virus quickly progressed to AIDS, and died because their immune system was wiped out. Its an interesting way to explore big moments in history in the US, as well as mental health and trauma. I think sometimes people forget that much of the film centers on people who have sincere and realistic struggles, and give the movie a bit of undeserved flak because of it. Glad to see you weren’t one of them.

[@sylviagreybe672]

The thing where Forrest says the flashlights are keeping him awake is the Watergate scandal which led to Nixon's resignation.

[@hulkhogan4203]

The joke about the box of chocolates is that he's holding up the bottom of the lid which shows exactly what you're going to get as he says it.

[@UTU49]

I'll give you 3 little details about my history with this movie. My brother had a gut feeling that this movie was going to be something special, so we went to it on opening weekend, knowing very little about it. When young Forrest's braces come flying off his legs, I literally thought to myself, "This is my favorite movie." This was a very strange thought to have in the first few minutes of a movie. It was such an amazing image of someone braking free from constraints. When Forrest is running in the desert with his followers, right before he stopped running, I thought to myself, "Oh my God. He's going to stop." When he actually stopped, I burst out laughing. I reached up to my face, and my cheeks were soaked with tears. This was the only time in my life when I have laughed hard and cried hard AT THE SAME TIME. At the time, we had no idea that so many other people were going to love it the way we did. It's such an unusual movie.

[@lordwalker71]

The blonde girl on the school bus in the red and white dress is Tom Hanks daughter Elizabeth. There was going to be a sequel where Forrest was going to be raising his son who contracted aids from Jenny and Forrest was going to meet Princess Diana and be near the Oklahoma bombing but the script showed up either the day before or after 9/11 and Tom and the director decided the movie had no meaning anymore so didn’t make it. He was running for over 3 years and it wasn’t like there were cellphones so she could text to say hey I’m pregnant.

[@LiquidREAP]

I always felt at the end when Lt Dan was standing was because he sat down for long enough and would rather stand.

[@lorireece1970]

I meant to include in a previous post that I’d love to see you react to two other movies, “The Princess Bride” and “Wonder.” They’re both fantastic movies!

[@SimoExMachina2]

When Forrest sees that one guy slapping Jenny, I'm sure he was thinking: "I killed no babies in 'Nam, but with you, I am going to make an exception".

[@jrogers05]

@21:06 there is a video somewhere on KZbin that tells us exactly what he says, and it was confirmed by the writers