Seeing this movie many times, we learn about the life of Forrest Gump (portrayed by Tom Hanks) and how he became who he was today. Sitting on that bench and yacking his jaw off to whoever was waiting for their bus. The question was....were there any characters that seemed the be against Forrest? Like the antagonist of the movie?
When Forrest was little, he was considered below average of intelligence. A lot of people would not let them sit on the bus next to them except for one. Her name was Jenny. Never finding out her last name, she befriends Forrest and sticks up for him against bullies. His mother was always there for him through thick and thin.
Jenny's life, however, was not all sweet. It seemed her father abused her and her sister. As Forrest would see her father 'hugging'' them, they were soon sent to live with their grandmother. When she got older, her life was still in shambles. Going down the wrong road as Forrest tries to help her in anyway he can.
When Forrest graduated, he decided to join the army. He meets a guy named Bubba who he befriends (portrayed by Mykelti Williamson) who talks to Forrest about running a shrimp restaurant. His dream would sadly not happen when he is killed. Forrest tries to help in every way to save everyone in the army.
Gary Sinise portrays an acquittance turned friend Lieutenant Dan who lost his legs in the war. Never wanting to be saved by Forrest, he ends up in a wheelchair feeling sorry for himself. He later joins Forrest in getting the shrimp boat buisness going. Thinking at times Forrest is an idiot and god damn stupid for what his decisions, he still sticks by him through thick or thin.
After war, Forrest runs into Jenny again, this time portrayed by Robin Wright (back then Penn). She is with a different group of people that Forrest isn't a fan of. A few people that took drugs, Black Panthers that are against the Vietnam war and others would abuse her. She ends up almost committing suicide many times. Feeling that her life was never perfect.
Forrest Gump would also meet a few presidents in his journey. Not knowing what was going on with him, they find out more about his bravery even being shot in the ass. Showing the wound to Nixon as well. He doesn't even realize what he's doing half the time. He goes through knowing as many presidents as he met. But mostly Kennedy and Nixon
After Jenny deserts him again, he starts to run everywhere. People followed him thinking he was doing something for charity. Giving ideas to a man that's selling t-shirts to a man with a slogan to his bumper stickers. He soon stops running for no reason (some of the running scenes of Forrest are played by Tom Hanks brother Jim)
Near the end, Forrest finds out he is a father when he meets Jenny one last time. The name of the child is Forrest Jr. (played by a young Haley Joel Osment) Jenny is dying from an unknown illness and well is close to death. She explains to him that she had never meant to hurt him and knew he would be considered an amazing father when she was gone. They even get married.
Keeping the promise from Jenny, after she dies, he takes care of Forrest Jr. Thinking back to everyone he knew, were there any that seemed to be against Forrest? To me, there were a few...but I don't think many of them meant to hurt him. With Forrest having a small IQ, he had no idea when he was being teased or picked on.
There is no true antagonist in Forrest Gump. There are some people that don't understand who he is or what's he doing half the time. Forrest is still the main star of the story. The people he meets through time, good or bad, depends how he reacts to them. Even if some think he's gosh darn stupid, he's still a good person, and some people that he knows through time, never wants his feelings to be hurt. From beginning to end, all could be told from one man, and a floating feather
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