Sen. Jacques Demers, the former head coach of the Montreal Canadiens who led the team to its last Stanley Cup in 1993 and Habs analyst on RDS, was another one of the roasters at the recent Children’s Treatment Centre roast of Guy Lauzon. The man spoke very highly of the worthwhile cause and earlier in the evening he spoke to me of his two favourite movies, the first of which will be discussed today.
He says he was deeply impressed by the strong story and solid acting held within the classic 1990s film Forrest Gump. Demers also mentioned he thought this was Tom Hanks’ best role so far.
Robert Zemeckis directs the story of Forrest Gump (Hanks), a simple man who lives an extraordinary life. The movie begins with Gump on a bench, telling his tale to anyone who will listen. He describes his motivating mother (Sally Field), the troubles he had as a child – he is constantly being bullied for his dim-wittedness and the braces on his legs – and reveals the love of his life, Jenny (Robin Wright). Eventually he breaks free of the braces and keeps running, never looking back.
He unbelievably manages to play college football, fight in the Vietnam war (meeting beloved friend Bubba – Mykelti Williamson and Lieutenant Dan – Gary Sinise), play table tennis on the national circuit against the Chinese and start his own shrimp boat business – successfully making his way through life while telling his own version of history along the way. This is a really clever way of telling a story, intertwining the fictional Gump with real people in history: from Elvis Presley and John Lennon to John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, to name a few.
Another interesting technique used here is storytelling through music. There are 45 pieces of classic rock and roll that litter this film, giving it a real flavour for the times. Zemeckis and his music team choose amazing songs, starting with Elvis Presley’s Hound Dog in the 1950s, then making their way through 1960s and 70s hits from amazing bands and artists such as CCR, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin to name a few. Each song adds a really special touch – not only does the song usually relate to a feeling going on onscreen, but the takes are expertly edited to really capture the scene.
Forrest Gump is an excellent film that has a little bit of everything – romance, drama, gut-wrenching war scenes, comedy and heart. It also holds superb performances from actors on the top of their game – Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Sally Field, a young Haley Joel Osment and the two children who play the young Forrest and Jenny (Michael Conner Humphreys and Hanna Hall). They all do brilliant jobs and make their respective characters come alive. So, join your old friend Forrest for a journey through history, because, unlike that pesky box of chocolates, you know exactly what you are going to get.
Tom Hanks at his finest. Good choice by Sen. Demers.
Agreed, best Hank’s movie and soundtrack!