I don't think I'd consider myself conservative, but perhaps right-leaning, so when I heard you say the movie was seen as conservative political propaganda, my reaction was... What??? By who? I could understand leftists having that interpretation because of a misunderstanding of conservative values, but conservatives think it is also...? Blows my mind. The key factor of conservatives valuing individuality is that the individual has agency, and that's clearly not what we see with Gump. As you said, he doesn't really make decisions. And the obvious counterpoint is when Lt. Dan's (I'd argue, very conservative) desire to die for his country is depicted as farcical from the very start, as you see one ancestor after another flop over dead. Vietnam is not a "righteous battle against communist expansion" for Gump, it's about walks through the woods, talking with friends, and looking for a guy named Charlie. The antiwar protest and black panther meetings he attends after isn't about opposing meaningless conflict or fighting a racist system, for Gump it was some kind of party some strangers were having. Gump is NOT EVEN DRAFTED - he joins the army because a recruiter asks him to, and no other reason. I never saw the movie as political at all. The point always struck me as simply "it's amusing to watch crazy things happen to the luckiest man in the world"
It’s political in that it is incessantly, ‘Go-along-to-get-along’. It is *absurd* Forrest Gump does his best, he’s earnest and *obedient* which absolutely-ka ching!
Forest Gump is about Zen Buddhism. He is always in the now moment, accepts without resistance everything that is happening in the world around him, he has no ego, no vanity, always wants to help others before himself, and accumulates great wealth easily, without hurting others or being greedy by simply being himself, and most importantly, he does not crave or desire to be rich, only to serve others. He rarely shows fear, whether that is a belief in a higher power protecting him, or just because it does not serve him. He achieves it all by simply "being" his true nature, his true self. ... We think we have to "do" and "be" to "get", what if it was all just happening , but our egos think "we" are doing it, when maybe it is all just happening anyway, and it is our meddling and desires that muck everything up. Similar to your take on Free Will in the No Country for Old Men analysis. Thanks for this great video Eric. PS "Mumble Rapper" OMG that is hilarious.
Just wow. You sir make some amazing connections. Man I wish I could be in a movie club with you. You really do a great job fleshing out your ideas with examples. You let the movie shape your thoughts instead of forcing the movie to the shape of your ideas. Awesome video. I’m so happy I found your channel. If you got a Patreon let me know. Id be happy to support you.
One of the most revealing parts of the film, for me, was how Forrest explained he was named for the man who started the Ku Klux Klan, because his mother wanted him to know sometimes people do things that just don't make no sense. So while I agree with so much of this analysis (he achieved his friends dreams! *mind melted, never saw this angle before!*) and chance vs destiny plays a major thematic role in the story, I do believe Forrest was given the agency, by his mother, to decide to be kind and loving to all. He always understood what kindness and love meant. Yes, so many of his choices aren't choices but suggestions, but perhaps his luck isn't about conservative values (though there's an interesting counter-argument about whether the story is suggesting conservative values don't lead to success but luck does), it's not about his individualism, or even chance, but because he knew two things above all others, two universal, apolitical truths - love and kindness - can change the world. (Pretty hippy-trippy leftie stuff IMO but heck, it's so Hollywood).
I both respectfully agree and disagree with your final thoughts on Forrest Gump. Oh 100% he goes with the flow and things seem to just happen around him very much so like the road sign analogy you made. Where I disagree with you is, that saying Forrest makes no choices at all. Most of what happens is determined by chance yes but I feel some crucial points about Forrest's personality are omitted here. For example Forrest chose to run back into the battle and save his friends. He chose to uphold his promise to Bubba and honour his friend by buying that shrimp boat and using the money to provide for Bubba's family. He had a childlike innocence but he still knew some of the choices Jenny made were not healthy ones yet he still loved her and didn't judge her for them. He still admires Lieutenant Dan after he lost his legs and it is from Dan seeing his own value through Forrest's eyes that inspires him to move forward in his life. His mind may have been uncomplicated and simplistic but he also had a good heart and wanted to help people if he had the means to do so.
He has a good heart. He does the "right" thing. But--exactly... as in, if one were acting on "autopilot" these decisions would be the right ones to choose. If that makes any sense. Of course he saved his friends and honors his word, because that's what he's supposed to do.
@@FallopiumFilms I think the best way to sum it up is that Forrest doesn't really have a character arc. He himself stays the same as everything else changes around him. From beginning to end Forrest is a boy who just wants to make his momma proud.
I thought it was trying to destroy the myth of the "great man". Forrest accidentally falls through life and does just fine, it's saying that it can happen at random.
I think the message is a simple one. Just be yourself. It isn't that forest believes in any political ideology but rather he's just being true to himself. Regardless of what happens he does as he wants to and doesn't let the people around him bring him down to acting phony or putting on a fake show. He's true to his self and not out to showboat a cause. This is evident in the news caster who shows up while Forest is running. The first thing she goes to is asking Forest what cause is he running for and his response is that he just felt like running. Likewise while Jenny is in the group think it's more important to point out that she is in the process of a self crisis. She hated her life and herself growing up. She didn't want to run away and thus doesn't know who she is. She adopts a new identity with the people she surrounds herself with instead of being true to herself. As such she ends up in a far worse state because she has no clue who she really is. Forest's disability is meant to give him a more simplistic perspective but also one that's more rewarding. People are always fighting causes and taking political sides in the movie and expect him to be on board but Forest is never meant to take sides hense a brilliance in filmmaking when the mic plug gets pulled or damaged and all we get is Forest saying, "and that's what I think about that." It wasn't just a joke, it had meaning to the story structure. It's been a long while since I've seen the movie so I have to watch it again to determine what is being said by how it's shot. It would be fantastic if Forest fixed up Jenny's old house into something new because it would further the subtext that Forest is the one who saves her from her identity crisis. Showing her that this old house of hers can be turned into something beautiful. Also making comparison to her identity. She can be true to her old self and make something beautiful out of it. She doesn't need to fear who she is and how she grew up. However I don't remember which house they ultimately live in at the end. She does throw rocks at the old house though because she hates it and vicariously herself.
Well after all that which manifested into a great vid by the way , my take away from it besides what you input was this . . . Forest isn't greedy , Forest is humble and most importantly he knows how to listen when fate knocks on his door. As far as his aloofness goes he kept it real despite that faceless agency , ergo , Forest is something like a savant G. #OGForestGump
I honestly dont think there is a message I just find it odd that everyone needs to find a message in everything these days Cant a movie just be a entertaining movie? People will pull things together from nothing Tbf I agree with what you say here but its concerning how there seems to be a message in every film and not just you know a story
I agree that the movie is fundamentally about random chance/destiny/fate, but with respect to the danger, isn't Forrest Gump in danger over and over again? And at great risk (unless we buy that he is protected by destiny/providence) due to his ignorance, but chance/destiny/fate falls his way over and over again. His repeated "successes" are the superlative example of dumb luck. Tragically he lacks the ability to get (other than briefly) what he truly wants. He has agency -- over and over again he makes an impact on what happens to other people, but in ignorant ways -- but he fails to *achieve* anything and fails to live a good life, because he lacks awareness and understanding of how to negotiate the world in rational ways, i.e. to pursue a given end or goal (whether individual or collective good), or have critically-considered guiding principles and values. I think the core message of the film is that chance "success" is hollow and meaningless, that it is mainly due to chance/fate, and that people like Forrest Gump are pitiably tragic in being so mindlessly adrift in the world that they are unable to achieve anything they value, or choose their own values. The message is a variant on "Life unexamin(able) is not worth living". People who see Gump as positive or who think this is a warm and uplifting film remind me of people who come out of Miss Saigon humming "The American Dream" like it ought to be an anthem.
Here is another perspective for ya’ll (from a guy from Russia): you guys created such a beautiful country in sync with God’s laws that even people like forest can have a full life because the essentials are there - freedom, rule of law, sanctity of private property, and a whole bunch of other biblical principles. You can thrive like a flower without even thinking too much as you have the sunlight, fresh air, and water. Russians with their endless soul searching, on the other hand, are doomed either way, because they are in dark, dry, hopeless place.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
I don't think I'd consider myself conservative, but perhaps right-leaning, so when I heard you say the movie was seen as conservative political propaganda, my reaction was... What??? By who?
I could understand leftists having that interpretation because of a misunderstanding of conservative values, but conservatives think it is also...? Blows my mind.
The key factor of conservatives valuing individuality is that the individual has agency, and that's clearly not what we see with Gump. As you said, he doesn't really make decisions.
And the obvious counterpoint is when Lt. Dan's (I'd argue, very conservative) desire to die for his country is depicted as farcical from the very start, as you see one ancestor after another flop over dead. Vietnam is not a "righteous battle against communist expansion" for Gump, it's about walks through the woods, talking with friends, and looking for a guy named Charlie. The antiwar protest and black panther meetings he attends after isn't about opposing meaningless conflict or fighting a racist system, for Gump it was some kind of party some strangers were having. Gump is NOT EVEN DRAFTED - he joins the army because a recruiter asks him to, and no other reason.
I never saw the movie as political at all. The point always struck me as simply "it's amusing to watch crazy things happen to the luckiest man in the world"
It’s political in that it is incessantly, ‘Go-along-to-get-along’. It is *absurd* Forrest Gump does his best, he’s earnest and *obedient* which absolutely-ka ching!
Forest Gump is about Zen Buddhism. He is always in the now moment, accepts without resistance everything that is happening in the world around him, he has no ego, no vanity, always wants to help others before himself, and accumulates great wealth easily, without hurting others or being greedy by simply being himself, and most importantly, he does not crave or desire to be rich, only to serve others. He rarely shows fear, whether that is a belief in a higher power protecting him, or just because it does not serve him. He achieves it all by simply "being" his true nature, his true self. ... We think we have to "do" and "be" to "get", what if it was all just happening , but our egos think "we" are doing it, when maybe it is all just happening anyway, and it is our meddling and desires that muck everything up. Similar to your take on Free Will in the No Country for Old Men analysis. Thanks for this great video Eric. PS "Mumble Rapper" OMG that is hilarious.
2:30 she is used as a prop
I think you nailed it, when you are without a self, you are selfless with the universe.
Just wow. You sir make some amazing connections. Man I wish I could be in a movie club with you. You really do a great job fleshing out your ideas with examples. You let the movie shape your thoughts instead of forcing the movie to the shape of your ideas. Awesome video. I’m so happy I found your channel. If you got a Patreon let me know. Id be happy to support you.
I didn’t want to be presumptuous so I’m holding out on making a patreon until I hit 5k subs (if I do)
One of the most revealing parts of the film, for me, was how Forrest explained he was named for the man who started the Ku Klux Klan, because his mother wanted him to know sometimes people do things that just don't make no sense. So while I agree with so much of this analysis (he achieved his friends dreams! *mind melted, never saw this angle before!*) and chance vs destiny plays a major thematic role in the story, I do believe Forrest was given the agency, by his mother, to decide to be kind and loving to all. He always understood what kindness and love meant. Yes, so many of his choices aren't choices but suggestions, but perhaps his luck isn't about conservative values (though there's an interesting counter-argument about whether the story is suggesting conservative values don't lead to success but luck does), it's not about his individualism, or even chance, but because he knew two things above all others, two universal, apolitical truths - love and kindness - can change the world. (Pretty hippy-trippy leftie stuff IMO but heck, it's so Hollywood).
well said
I both respectfully agree and disagree with your final thoughts on Forrest Gump. Oh 100% he goes with the flow and things seem to just happen around him very much so like the road sign analogy you made.
Where I disagree with you is, that saying Forrest makes no choices at all. Most of what happens is determined by chance yes but I feel some crucial points about Forrest's personality are omitted here.
For example Forrest chose to run back into the battle and save his friends. He chose to uphold his promise to Bubba and honour his friend by buying that shrimp boat and using the money to provide for Bubba's family. He had a childlike innocence but he still knew some of the choices Jenny made were not healthy ones yet he still loved her and didn't judge her for them. He still admires Lieutenant Dan after he lost his legs and it is from Dan seeing his own value through Forrest's eyes that inspires him to move forward in his life.
His mind may have been uncomplicated and simplistic but he also had a good heart and wanted to help people if he had the means to do so.
He has a good heart. He does the "right" thing. But--exactly... as in, if one were acting on "autopilot" these decisions would be the right ones to choose. If that makes any sense.
Of course he saved his friends and honors his word, because that's what he's supposed to do.
@@FallopiumFilms I think the best way to sum it up is that Forrest doesn't really have a character arc. He himself stays the same as everything else changes around him. From beginning to end Forrest is a boy who just wants to make his momma proud.
@@GemR38 I like this summary
why isnt this channel more popular? your videos are masterpieces
It's a movie about a guy wandering thru life, experiencing historical moments in his time, remember the smiley face
Recently watched a few of your vids, HIGHLY impressed. Thanks for great content1
hey thanks
I thought it was trying to destroy the myth of the "great man". Forrest accidentally falls through life and does just fine, it's saying that it can happen at random.
I think the message is a simple one. Just be yourself. It isn't that forest believes in any political ideology but rather he's just being true to himself. Regardless of what happens he does as he wants to and doesn't let the people around him bring him down to acting phony or putting on a fake show. He's true to his self and not out to showboat a cause. This is evident in the news caster who shows up while Forest is running. The first thing she goes to is asking Forest what cause is he running for and his response is that he just felt like running. Likewise while Jenny is in the group think it's more important to point out that she is in the process of a self crisis. She hated her life and herself growing up. She didn't want to run away and thus doesn't know who she is. She adopts a new identity with the people she surrounds herself with instead of being true to herself. As such she ends up in a far worse state because she has no clue who she really is. Forest's disability is meant to give him a more simplistic perspective but also one that's more rewarding. People are always fighting causes and taking political sides in the movie and expect him to be on board but Forest is never meant to take sides hense a brilliance in filmmaking when the mic plug gets pulled or damaged and all we get is Forest saying, "and that's what I think about that." It wasn't just a joke, it had meaning to the story structure. It's been a long while since I've seen the movie so I have to watch it again to determine what is being said by how it's shot. It would be fantastic if Forest fixed up Jenny's old house into something new because it would further the subtext that Forest is the one who saves her from her identity crisis. Showing her that this old house of hers can be turned into something beautiful. Also making comparison to her identity. She can be true to her old self and make something beautiful out of it. She doesn't need to fear who she is and how she grew up. However I don't remember which house they ultimately live in at the end. She does throw rocks at the old house though because she hates it and vicariously herself.
Forrest bulldozes the old house. He mentions this at the end scene when he's leaving flowers at her grave.
@@rohanprem98222:20 progressives are a problem ?
Great video buddy!!! Thanks for helping understand this movie from a different perspective. I love your brain 🧠
Well after all that which manifested into a great vid by the way , my take away from it besides what you input was this . . . Forest isn't greedy , Forest is humble and most importantly he knows how to listen when fate knocks on his door. As far as his aloofness goes he kept it real despite that faceless agency , ergo , Forest is something like a savant G. #OGForestGump
GREAT ANALYSIS AS USUAL
Good observations.
The stars didn't bother me,
I like the stars.
So basically you’re saying FG is just Buddhism for Republicans??
Dear God
You channel desereves much more view
Gump
Ignorance is bliss😂👏🤣
I honestly dont think there is a message
I just find it odd that everyone needs to find a message in everything these days
Cant a movie just be a entertaining movie?
People will pull things together from nothing
Tbf I agree with what you say here but its concerning how there seems to be a message in every film and not just you know a story
Very good video. This guy is good.
I agree that the movie is fundamentally about random chance/destiny/fate, but with respect to the danger, isn't Forrest Gump in danger over and over again? And at great risk (unless we buy that he is protected by destiny/providence) due to his ignorance, but chance/destiny/fate falls his way over and over again. His repeated "successes" are the superlative example of dumb luck. Tragically he lacks the ability to get (other than briefly) what he truly wants. He has agency -- over and over again he makes an impact on what happens to other people, but in ignorant ways -- but he fails to *achieve* anything and fails to live a good life, because he lacks awareness and understanding of how to negotiate the world in rational ways, i.e. to pursue a given end or goal (whether individual or collective good), or have critically-considered guiding principles and values.
I think the core message of the film is that chance "success" is hollow and meaningless, that it is mainly due to chance/fate, and that people like Forrest Gump are pitiably tragic in being so mindlessly adrift in the world that they are unable to achieve anything they value, or choose their own values. The message is a variant on "Life unexamin(able) is not worth living". People who see Gump as positive or who think this is a warm and uplifting film remind me of people who come out of Miss Saigon humming "The American Dream" like it ought to be an anthem.
Here is another perspective for ya’ll (from a guy from Russia): you guys created such a beautiful country in sync with God’s laws that even people like forest can have a full life because the essentials are there - freedom, rule of law, sanctity of private property, and a whole bunch of other biblical principles. You can thrive like a flower without even thinking too much as you have the sunlight, fresh air, and water. Russians with their endless soul searching, on the other hand, are doomed either way, because they are in dark, dry, hopeless place.
Thank you for sharing your perspective