Disability in Society and Film

Disability in Society and Film

Film Analysis and Summary -- Forrest Gump (Paramount, 1994)

The film is about the protagonist, Forrest Gump, who was born physically disabled and also diagnosed with limited intelligence as a child. The film is told by the protagonist in retrospect, opening with him recounting his life to strangers at a bus stop in Savannah Georgia in 1981. His recollections begin with his experiences as a child struggling to overcome his physical disabilities in the form of his weak lower limbs that required cumbersome braces and exposed him to the ridiculing of other children. Forrest also relates that he was "special" in other ways and the actor portraying him, Tom Hanks, does a commendable job of creating a persona that is simultaneously charming, sympathetic, yet also possessing a spark of some sort that clearly shines through his disabilities. For example, despite something obviously slightly impaired about his cognition and mannerisms, Forrest exhibits a raw but simplistic intelligence or awareness that belies his formal diagnosis as intellectually slow.

Critique of the Film

1. Emotional Response: Describe your emotional, intellectual and behavioral responses. For example, how did this movie make you feel or think? What did you want to do after viewing the film?

It is impossible not to sympathize with and genuinely like the character of Forrest Gump. His character displayed a genuine warmth and a degree of straightforward honesty that, unfortunately, is relatively rare in non-disabled people. Something in Forrest's personality allowed him to retain a child's innocence and honesty throughout his life that, in most people, seems to pass into a less genuine personality of a mature adult who knows better what emotions, thoughts, and opinions to play closer to the vest than Forrest, whose every thought is fully expressed to others, even to complete strangers. In some ways, the film made me want to understand how I could become as comfortable expressing some of my thoughts more genuinely to others the way Forrest does without any ordinary fears that most adults fear about rejection or criticism from others.

2. Portrayal: Explain whether the person(s) with a disability was portrayed as ordinary people, as superhuman, or were they stereotyped.

Initially, of course, the viewer perceives Forrest as an object of pity, especially as he recounts his childhood. There certainly is an element of pity, or at least compassion and empathy that the film generated in me throughout. However, from my point-of-view, the story became somewhat less credible, although I realize it was not meant as a factually accurate depiction of real-life events, after the plot revealed one amazing accomplishment after another. In that respect, Forrest was portrayed to much as a hero who succeeded at everything he tried at such a high level that it would not have been believable even for a non-disabled person.

3. Filmmaking: What do you think the filmmaker was trying to say about people with disabilities?

I don't necessarily know that the filmmaker was really trying to say anything serious about disabled people. In some respects, I suppose the filmmaker was illustrating that disabilities can be overcome and that external or superficial aspects about people that seem to be serious disabilities often belie great talent and alternative types of awareness. From my perspective, that serious element or message of the film was largely undermined by the exaggeration of Forrest's accomplishments and by the endless list of his triumphs. The stereotypes that were addressed had to do with the inaccuracies of first impressions and with the incorrect assumptions that the disabled cannot be insightful or physically capable.

4. Images: Discuss how the story line included images in how the person(s) with a disability were portrayed.

One of the more poignant aspects of the film, especially in relation to the manner in which the protagonist benefited from the support of loved ones, had to do with Forrest's relationship with his mother and her constant spiritual and motivational presence in his life. Likewise, despite his apparent simplistic personality, Forrest was more adept at forming close relationships and at appreciating the love of others than many non-disabled people. Naturally, the plot as it unfolded, allowed Forrest to achieve incredible feats, but to this viewer, that actually detracted from the potential value of the film because it was so exaggerated and unrealistic. However, the straightforwardness and honesty of Forrest's relationships and his genuine affection and loyalty to others were relatively unaffected by that element.

5. Class discussion: What has been discussed in class about people who are "different"?