Forrest Gump

            Forrest Gump is a very entertaining movie, but although it does hold factual information, it has been embellished a lot. A lot of things in this movie actually happened, but the fictional character of Forrest Gump didn’t actually take part in them because, well, he’s fictional.

Let’s start at the beginning.

            I seriously doubt that Elvis Presley got his famous hip-swinging, knee-jerking dance moves from a small boy in Alabama. I also doubt that a boy with braces on his legs who could barely walk would one day miraculously start running from some bullies, have his braces break off, and be totally cured of whatever ailment he had. It’s possible and inspirational, but highly doubtful. I also feel as though it is not a common thing for a mother to get her partially mentally disabled child into a school by “dating” the principal. I bet it has happened, sort of, but not frequently.

            In the case of Jenny, her story is entirely believable. Because of her abuse as a child, she had a troubled time growing up and got involved in many bad situations. Sadly, this situation happens too many times in America.

            Forrest’s involvement in the Vietnam War is entirely plausible. He very well could have met a friend and then have him die, but rescue many people in the process and receive a medal of honor for his bravery. Also, all of the hippie protest gatherings were sabotaged just like in the movie. Also, there were Black Panther meetings like the one Forrest gets brought to. The Bubba-Gump Shrimp, on the other hand, probably was not founded the way the movie shows. The US did get invited to a big Ping Pong thingy in Asia, but the whole Forrest Gump part was a fabrication. Also, the Watergate scandal was not busted by a person looking out the window of his hotel room and calling the front desk to say that the lights are probably not working.

            I doubt that a man actually ran across the entire United States and attracted followers form all over and only stopped to eat, sleep, and go to the bathroom. That would be insane. I also doubt that he actually wiped mud off of his face into a smiley face design and gave a guy a t-shirt design or stepped in dog poop and made a bumper sticker slogan. All of these little instances in the movie are cute and funny, but they never actually happened the way the movie says they did.

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