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Forrest Gump
Paramount Pictures

Forrest Gump reviews
Critic Score
Metascore: 82 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
9.2 out of 10
based on 19 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 150 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie

MPAA RATING: PG-13

Starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson, and Sally Field

A sweeping look at thirty tumultuous years of American history seen through the eyes of the charmed simpleton Forrest Gump (Hanks).


GENRE(S): Drama  
WRITTEN BY: Winston Groom (novel)
Eric Roth
 
DIRECTED BY: Robert Zemeckis  
RELEASE DATE: DVD: August 28, 2001 
Video: September 10, 1996 
Theatrical: July 6, 1994 
RUNNING TIME: 142 minutes, Color 
ORIGIN: USA 

Received 13 Academy Award nominations in 1995, and won six of those, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Hanks), and Best Adapted Screenplay. Grossed an astounding $329.7 million in the U.S. after an opening weekend of just $24 million.

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100
ReelViews James Berardinelli
Passionate and magical, Forrest Gump is a tonic for the weary of spirit.
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100
Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
What a magical movie.
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100
Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington
Clean up the language, and this little roach of a movie could play the bottom half of a double bill with Rowan and Martin's “The Maltese Bippy.” [26 March 1999, Life, p.9E]
90
Washington Post Rita Kempley
Zemeckis, an undisputed master of film technology, shows off an equal aptitude for vivid storytelling.
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90
Film.com John Hartl
This is an ambitious movie that attempts too much rather than too little.
90
Rolling Stone Peter Travers
A movie heart-breaker of oddball wit and startling grace.
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90
Chicago Reader Jonathan Rosenbaum
The results are skillful, highly affecting, and ultimately more than a little pernicious.
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90
Variety Todd McCarthy
Manages the difficult feat of being an intimate, even delicate tale played with an appealingly light touch against an epic backdrop.
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89
Austin Chronicle Robert Faires
A remarkable balance of sentimentality and harshness, darkness and light.
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88
USA Today Mike Clark
Doesn't sound like a very prepossessing title, but prepare to be taken aback by "what's in a name." [6 July 1994, Life, p.1D]
80
Mr. Showbiz Joseph McBride
The film's technical brilliance and sentimental kick seduced many viewers unsuspecting of its polemical intent.
80
Time Richard Corliss
It's a long drink of water at the fountain of pop-social memory.
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80
Washington Post Desson Thomson
This is a captivating experience.
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75
San Francisco Chronicle Edward Guthmann
At its best, Forrest Gump is a gentle, elegiac fantasy about love and trust.
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70
Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan
It's most successful when it is being off-center, a state of grace it doesn't quite have the nerve to maintain. [6 July 1994, Calendar, p. F-1]
70
The New York Times Elvis Mitchell
Has the elements of an emotionally gripping story. Yet is feels less like a romance than like a coffee-table book celebrating the magic of special effect. [6 July 1994, p. C9]
63
The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Rick Groen
Yet, for all that's wrong here, one thing is wonderfully, blissfully right, and his name is Tom Hanks.
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60
TV Guide Staff (not credited)
Clearly a great event, Forrest Gump is not, however, a great film. It has the form of an epic without real depth or resonance; the trappings of satire without a coherent attitude; and the semblance of historical revisionism without a critical sensibility.
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50
Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman
It is also glib, shallow, and monotonous, a movie that spends so much time sanctifying its hero that, despite his "innocence," he ends up seeming about as vulnerable as Superman.
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What Our Users Said

Vote Now!The average user rating for this movie is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 150 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
This movie is the coolest Rob Zemeckis film ever. It had everything you want in a movie. Great acting, emotion, comedy, violence and all the things in this movie. See it. SEE It. SEEEEE IIIITTTT!!!

Danica G. gave it a10:
One of my favorite movies of all time! What an amazing story that is told which displays all of the joys, pains, and victories that Forrest's character has encountered throughout his life. What a beautiful story, one that I can watch over and over again. You really feel connected with Forrest's character.

Mike J. gave it a10:
I think that the people who dont like this movie arent really watching it like they should be. this movie brings together so much of what makes America, America. we have liberals and conservatives, good and bad, black and white, innocents and guilt, and that is what makes us who we are. by seeing our world through these views we find out who we are and what we believe in. so, if you don't like this movie, try watching it one more time and look for a deeper meaning.

Pierre C. gave it a10:
When I rate a movie, I try to imagine the best possible scenario for that movie. Everything from the acting (e.g. Tom Hanks) to the cinematography was spectacular. I could honestly not imagine it done differently. It's an inspirational and captivating film that everyone should watch in their lifetime. Pure gold!

Ross O. gave it a10:
Has every element of a perfect film. Even Hitler would have melted at this.

Anshu R. gave it a10:
it will be a sin to vote this movie any less than 10. Forrest Gump is a character any man on this earth can relate to. its a masterpiece of mankind's creation. there is not a single moment you will feel that you want to have a break while watching the movie. its filled with emotions, stupidity with humor and it touches the viewer's souls.

Edgar gave it a10:
its a really cool movie very entertaining, Forrest is a cool guy and the lieutenant Dan gives a fun touch to the movie

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