Film Study

If I were to present a movie to a film studies class my selection would be Forrest Gump. Due to drug content and language the students would most likely need to be at a high school level or older. This film is full of history. It follows Forrest through many years including scenes such as America at war, our struggles with racism, celebrity figures political and in entertainment, Watergate, and his experience as a college football player and shrimp boat captain. The true historical moments in this movie show students what it was really like during that time period. It also gives you a more simplistic view point on what is going on. Forrest is a very simple man and gives you a blunt explanation for what is occurring around him. The story moves all around the country so it is not limited to one community. Not to mention the music is great! There are so many different directions a teacher can go in when studying Forrest Gump. It was first a novel, which can be made into a comparison from the film. This movie won numerous awards and is well loved by all. Forrest Gump would be a great film to study in a classroom.