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Originally published on www.universalteacher.org.uk, Andrew Moore’s teaching resource site. This free PDF version is available from www.teachit.co.uk. © Andrew Moore, 1999-2005.

Forrest Gump

Introduction

This guide has been written to help you study a feature film. It is specifically written for students in England and Wales, studying media in English or English Language at Key Stage 4. It may be of interest to students of film generally. Suggested title:

How has Robert Zemeckis presented and adapted Forrest Gump for the cinema?

Starting your work

Give a brief outline / summary of the film – do not go into detail (less than a half a page of A4 will do).

Explain that the film is adapted from the novel by Winston Groom.

Research and briefly write about Robert Zemeckis as director.

Social and media context of the film

Social context What is the film about? What are its subjects and themes?

Comment on Forrest's mother's ‘chocolate-box’ simile.

Show how it presents important moments of modern American history.

Explain how Forrest is an Everyman character – he has an unusually wide range of experiences.

Media context Explain how the narrative has been presented for cinema.

Explain how Winston Groom's novel has been adapted for film.

Note any significant changes.

Language

Comment on interesting passages of dialogue – especially to show the characters of Forrest, his mother and others.

AM

Originally published on www.universalteacher.org.uk, Andrew Moore’s teaching resource site. This free PDF version is available from www.teachit.co.uk. © Andrew Moore, 1999-2005.

Presentational devices

Comment on the following, as far as you are able:

structure (sequence) of narrative

music and sound FX

stunts and special effects (SFX) e.g. to show Forrest with famous historical people

acting – comment on the performances of Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Sally Field, Mykelti Williamson, Michael Conner Humphreys and Hanna R. Hall

direction – comment on Robert Zemeckis's directing of the film: look at structure, use of locations, the pacing and presentation of the narrative, use of voiceover and flashback.

Visual images

Comment on the following, as far as you are able:

cinematography (how shots are composed, use of colour and lighting and so on)

the way the film presents (visually) people in peace and war, sport and politics

camera angles

the visual qualities of the set-up: weather, vehicles, landscapes and so on.

Significant achievement in cinema

Why is this (or is it not) a good film? To answer this, look in more detail at a range of scenes.

Making a judgement

Finish your response with a personal evaluation – explain what you liked about the film, and why.

In writing about Forrest Gump you may use reviews from magazines or websites. You are allowed to quote from these, but should show quotation with inverted commas. You may express agreement or disagreement with what you find in these reviews.