Tom Hanks plays a simple but kindhearted man whose life unexpectedly touches those around him. He also finds himself accidentally woven into key moments in American history of the 1960s and 1970s.
It’s sweet and touching, romantic and sad. Hanks is perfect in the role – he keeps it on the right side of the endearing/annoying divide.
As in Back to the Future, Zemeckis handles the storytelling with almost supernatural empathy and skill. The pacing is spot on and there’s not a moment of filler nor a line out of place. He also handles the changes in tone superbly well, so comedy can turn to poignancy without jarring – and vice-versa.
Robin Wright and Gary Sinise are excellent as the love of his life and his former Vietnam lieutenant and long-standing friend, while Sally Field is wonderful as his wise, caring mother.
The shaggy-dog story takes in his spell in the army, his time as a table-tennis champion, working on a shrimp boat, and his three years of running across America.
There’s a message about kindness being more important than anything else, which is hard to disagree with, and a great soundtrack, too.
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