You'll never view the world the same way after seeing it through the eyes of Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks), a simpleminded man who finds himself in the middle of nearly every major event of the 1960s and '70s. Along the way, he makes friends, changes lives and searches for a soul mate.

STARRING

Tom Hanks, Robin Wright Penn

DIRECTOR

Robert Zemeckis

LENGTH

142 Minutes

CATEGORY & RATING

Drama (PG-13)

AWARDS

1995 Academy Award: Best Picture
1995 Academy Award: Best Director: Robert Zemeckis
1995 Academy Award: Best Actor: Tom Hanks
1995 Academy Award: Best Writing Adapted Screenplay
1995 Academy Award: Best Film Editing
1995 Academy Award: Best Visual Effects
1995 Academy Award: Best Supporting Actor nominee: Gary Sinise
1995 Academy Award: Best Cinematography nominee
1995 Academy Award: Best Sound nominee
1995 Academy Award: Best Sound Effects Editing nominee
1995 Academy Award: Best Art Direction nominee
1995 Academy Award: Best Music Score nominee
1995 Academy Award: Best Makeup nominee
AFI: Top 100 Movies
AFI: Top 100 Laughs nominee

POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC ISSUES

QUESTIONS

Write short essay answers to any four of the following six questions.

1. A fellow soldier in the military hospital teaches Forrest to play ping pong. He says, “The secret to this game is, no matter what happens, never, ever, take your eye off the ball.” Might there be contained herein a metaphor for success in life and a key to the different and unique genius of Forrest? Is a client's taking one's “eye off the ball” and becoming destructively distracted, a possible visualization and understanding of many emotional and psychiatric problems?

2. As a child, Forrest recalls that he was told a great many things by his mother, some which he shares are:
“Don't ever let anybody tell you they're better then you Forrest.”
“You gotta put the past behind you, before you can move on.”
“Miracles happen every day. Some people don't think so, but they do.”
“Stupid is as stupid does.”
From your clinical or personal perspective, how significant, meaningful, and consequential is the receiving of such messages from a mother to a child's future emotional, psychological, and social achievement? A brief thought will suffice.

3. After having his legs blown off in Vietnam, Lieutenant Dan screams at Forrest, “This was not supposed to happen; not to me! I had a destiny! I was Lieutenant Dan Taylor!” Forrest innocently tells him that he is still Lieutenant Dan. Is it easy for clients in pain to forget who they are? Is helping them remember an integral part of their cure? How might we assist them in remembering?

4. Describe a treatment plan for one of the characters in the film assuming he or she came to you for psychotherapy.

5. What did you learn from the film that you believe will enhance your clinical skills?

6. How might clients benefit from viewing the film and discussing it in therapy?

DIRECTIONS

Your responses must be typewritten and submitted along with our completed registration form one of three ways: (1) by mail with a check or credit card information; (2) by fax along with credit card information, or (3) by e-mail along with credit card information. If you do not wish to submit credit card information via e-mail or fax, please mail your registration for processing. Your payment must accompany your answer sheet. Do not e-mail or fax us your forms and request us to call you for your credit card information. Submissions via e-mail or fax without credit card information will incur a $10 surcharge. Please visit our contact information page for our mailing address, fax number, and e-mail.