Although I had seen Forrest Gump before as a child, my experience viewing it then was very different from my viewing this time. I remember my main takeaway as a child was how sad and disadvantaging it must be to be “simple”, as Forrest was described. To me, intellect was the main trait to aspire to, and to be lacking in any way was a tragedy. I thought the movie was sad, because Forrest didn’t understand so much of the world around him.

Having viewed the movie now, my outlook on the movie was very different. I recognize it more for what is was meant to be- a simpler perspective on our complicated world. Forrest wasn’t very much concerned with the politics behind the Presidents he met, nor was he worried about the logistics behind his shrimping business. Forrest simply did things because he liked doing them. I feel like his outlook on enjoying life to the fullest is something that many of us could aspire to. Forrest has some existential anxiety about whether life is predestined or random, a question that plagues many intellectuals as well. Despite this, he focuses on enjoying his current life and making do with his lot in life.

Although I can’t imagine the world would work very well if everyone was like Forrest, I do agree with his mother’s statement that there’s nothing wrong with him being different from other people. Being smart is not the only valuable skill in life. Forrest’s kindness, bravery, and compassion are really commendable, and often the smartest people don’t have these qualities. The world is better for the people like him who show us that life doesn’t always have to be as complicated as we make it.