Forrest Gump MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 1/2 Content: -2 1/2

Predicted to be one of the summer's most popular films, FORREST GUMP tells a touching story about a most unusual young man. Played by Tom Hanks, Forrest Gump lives with his mother (Sally Field) in rural Alabama. Even though he has an IQ of only 75, his mother insists he attend school with all the other children. His only friend is a pretty little girl named Jenny whose father abuses her. Their pleasant country life changes when Forrest exhibits a phenomenal running ability as a teenager. The University of Alabama gives him a football scholarship to make them a championship team. From a backwoods ignoramus to a front page hero, Forrest Gump becomes a household word. Some hilarious, some touching incidents catapult him to fame at every phase of his life. He becomes a Vietnam hero, a champion ping pong player pitted against the Chinese champions, and a business executive. Jenny (Robin Wright), on the other hand, slides into a skid row lifestyle. Will the two ever get back together after leading such diverse lives? It takes over two hours to find out, but the audience seemed to think it was worth it.

Forrest's goodness shines through adversity, making those who once ridiculed him respect him. He risks his life to save his soldier buddies and shares his eventual wealth with his church, his hometown and his friends. The extensive objectionable material serves as a sharp contrast to Forrest's purity. A jaded, suicidal lieutenant spews out profanities and obscenities, stays drunk most of the time and consorts with prostitutes, but finds hope and learns compassion from Forrest. As a Black Panther hippy in a world of drug and physical abuse, Jenny knows Forrest is her safe haven. Forrest remains totally oblivious to the role model he projects with his unconditional love for his friends. Still, the audience is subjected to the sordid world of drugs and drunks along with graphic violence in the Vietnam battle scenes. Treated comically, Forrest's mother offers sexual favors to the school principal as an enticement for him to admit Forrest in the public schools. Also disappointing is the implication that an “honest-to-goodness” hero has to have a low IQ.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Paramount Communications, Inc., 15 Columbus Circle, NY, NY 10023-7780