Forrest Gump and the 90s Generation

One product of the 90s that many people can appreciate is the movie Forrest Gump. You may be thinking, "Forrest Gump is a historical account of a personal anecdote. Of course it has a political context!" However, I am not going to elaborate on the Vietnam War, the beat generation, or Watergate. I will rather discuss the implications this movie has on the 90s generation and the mentality of that generation.

Forrest Gump is a fictional account of a man with a mental disability who seems to be a part of every major political event between the 60s and the 90s. He witnesses Elvis before his rise to fame. He earns a purple heart for bravery in the Vietnam War. He peeks out his window and witnesses the scandal at the Watergate Hotel. His action packed life is a stark contrast from the mundane and unremarkable period known as the 90s.

America's most memorable events of the 90s were dull at best. The Gulf War, Princess Diana, the east coast/west coast hip hop rivalry, and a sex affair in the White House sum up the biggest headlines of the decade. The news, as I saw it, wasn't newsworthy at all. But the filming of Forrest Gump filled a void in humdrum America; it told us that, with good intentions and a big heart, life will unfold favorably for you. In a world of pessimists and doubters, even a disabled man can prove that he isn't "the stupid one". Although you may not meet world leaders or play college football, life (which is like a box of chocolates) will work out, though with uncertainty.

The story is by no means likely. I will liken this movie to a fairy tale for adults disillusioned by a world with seemingly "no purpose". Eat, drink, sleep, have sex, what have you, but there are no great wars, evils, or issues to combat in the 90s. This movie was a "feel good movie," but it achieved that in a different way; he didn't win the girl, slay the dragon, or save the planet from a giant meteor, but he tackled American society's vibrant issues with an immaculate moral code that teaches us all to "do the right thing." This movie struck a chord to a disenchanted generation wishing for the world to raise another momentous challenge for America (and for America to ultimately prevail as it always did).

The world has since changed, and America isn't "winning". Politically charged movies criticize, instead of glorify, the United States. The public would rather view a cheap cookie-cutter horror thriller than a good "pick-me-up" like Forrest Gump. Perhaps this change in taste reflects on the changing view of Americans towards their own country. In the 90s, we were winners; today, we are the subject of ridicule and laughter. I hope one day we will be able to come back to that period of calmness and reflect on "the good old days." But for now, we have a war, a stagnant economy, and a political power shift to attend to.