‘Forrest Gump’ (1994) — ★★★★★
Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Starring Tom Hanks
Rated PG-13, Comedy/Romance
“Forrest Gump” is a product of unquestionable ‘90s excellence. The story goes like this: Born in the midst of World War II and raised during a transformative era in the United States, Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) defies the odds and wins over his childhood love, Jenny Curran (Robin Wright) — all while remaining friendly, humble, and unfazed by his external and internal adversaries. In the process, he dances for Elvis, fights in Vietnam, meets President John F. Kennedy, runs across the country three times, and accidentally participates in the Watergate scandal, among other unremarkable things. No big deal.
This doctrinal and nationally-heralded tale testifies to what many see as the epitome of an American success story: A simple man, who grew up in mostly normal circumstances, creates a name for himself with a mental fortitude unlike any other. His simplistic outlook on life is bolstered by youthful energy and unburdened by negativity, which also reveals his pure heart. Upon first encounter, Forrest might be deemed “idiotic” or “low IQ” by society’s standards. However, his understated aura hides a deep inner wisdom unmatched by that of even the smartest pundits.
Philosophical debates aside, “Forrest Gump” has been rightfully canonized as an instructive fable in the American bible, and “That’s all I have to say about that.” Thanks, Forrest.
‘Big Fish’ (2003) — ★★★★
Directed by Tim Burton, Starring Ewan McGregor
Rated PG-13, Fantasy/Adventure
With “Big Fish,” Tim Burton directs a characteristically twisted view of reality that — predictably — disturbs the mind but still tugs at the heart strings. The story of young Edward Bloom (Ewan McGregor) is told in retrospect by his sick, elderly self (Albert Finney) and his inquisitive son, Will (Billy Crudup). There is one thing that has always been off about Edward: His retellings seem larger than life to his loved ones, making his personality and heart difficult to catch.
“Big Fish” hooks viewers by speaking to the miracle of every human life and the marvelous effect of storytelling. Bloom, a normal man for all intents and purposes, proves that there is something miraculous and extraordinary in the mystery of life, however mundane. Sure, 10-foot men and spectral towns are few and far between, but the feelings that come with experiences — those bursts of love and excitement in a singular fleeting moment — are spectacularly real and bigger than life itself. That is the salience of one story: Its exigence lives on long after a person’s death, and its power to inspire grows over time.
“The biggest fish in the river gets that way by never getting caught,” Bloom says — a man of mysterious words. He is always up to interpretation, but it’s true: Storytelling with some element of mystery makes room for the collective imagination to grow.
‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ (2008) — ★★★★½
Directed by David Fincher, Starring Brad Pitt
Rated PG-13, Romance/Fantasy
Don’t let the name David Fincher fool you. Despite being a director most known for his shadowy films a la “Fight Club” and “Gone Girl,” he pleasantly surprises in this soft adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story of the same name. Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) is born with the spirit of any other child, full of curiosity and vigor. Human biology fails him, though, and he is cursed by an anomalous phenomenon: He comes out of the womb as a decrepit, old baby and grows into a young man as time passes, ever so slowly. As he ages backward, he meets and falls in love with Daisy (Cate Blanchett), a normal girl with big ambitions.
The supernatural existence of Benjamin Button — a curious case indeed — not only pokes fun at the audience as it waits for Pitt to age into his peak appeal, but also questions our cyclical view of life from birth to death, young to old. It leaves us wondering if aging backward would really make a difference in our experience of life’s core events. Throughout the film, Benjamin’s soul develops according to the normal path of human mortality, which grows from wonderment to wisdom. His story asks: What is our body, if only a vessel for the spirit that is fortified within us?
Benjamin says, “Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss.” His legend verifies that relationships manifest opportunities for us in this life, which then directly influence our spiritual legacy after death — no matter how our physicality portrays us.
