Saturday 31 October 2009

Can only someone as Forrest Gump love unconditionally . . .

I can see this movie any number of times and still can relate to it. I cannot say that this is the best movie ever made but I can definitely vouch for the humaneness that this movie portrays. Forrest Gump can reveal different layers of thoughts and interpretation each time. The most obvious being the power of the self, the warmth of a story, making a difference in others' life and unconditional love.



This post will talk about one of the endearing aspects of this film: unconditional love. Sample this dialogue:

Forrest Gump: Will you marry me?
[Jenny turns and looks at him]
Forrest Gump: I'd make a good husband, Jenny.
Jenny Curran: You would, Forrest.
Forrest Gump: But you won't marry me.
Jenny Curran: You don't wanna marry me.
Forrest Gump: Why don't you love me, Jenny? I'm not a smart man, but I know what love is.





When thinking about unconditional love, Forrest Gump inevitably comes to my mind. Along with it there are certain other questions that also accompany. When seen in the perspective of being smart and suave, Gump does not definitely fall into that category. He is not the romantic ones who can wax eloquence about love and other aspects of love. What he knows is that one should love dearly and unconditionally no matter what. Throughout the movie, the female lead Jenny gets herself into various entanglements like drugs, wrong men, etc. But then she always falls back on Gump who is there to offer solace, comfort and strength. Jenny knows that Gump loves her as no one can ever can but still she does not take that love with open arms. Perhaps as Gump said "He was not a smart man" and thats why Jenny cannot accept him.

This also raises another question: Can only the no-so-smart- man offer unconditional love. In all practical terms Gump can be called a stupid man who can only do something when he is told to. He lacks the clever and practical sensibility that is quite vital for survival. But then if Gump knew all the practicalities and manipulations of life, would he be the lovable Forrest Gump.

Seeing the movie always made me wonder if I would fall in love with someone as Forrest Gump. Maybe not and thats why I can enjoy the movie as it offers me the willing suspension of disbelief that momentarily creates a pseudo reality.

What ever said and done, I can never tire watching Forrest Gump.

24 comments:

  1. The reason a not-so-smart man is able to love utterly and unconditionally with such ease is becoz he doesnt possess the intelligence to second-guess the person he loves, nor does he wish to consider the emotional hurt of rejection..

    He is probably incapable of building walls around his mind and his heart..

    A rather obscure quotation I once read went something like, "Of all of man's curses, intelligence is perhaps the most useful."

    That said, I think the reason Jenny doesnt accept Forrest is becoz maybe she thinks that she wud only hurt him, becoz she doubts if there's any goodness left in her damaged self..maybe coz she thinks she doesnt deserve him..or that maybe by depending on him for love, she wud be taking advantage of his kindness..

    Its not coz he wasnt a smart man..look at the other men she was with, they were hardly geniuses anyway..

    But that line of dialogue, every time I watch the movie, I feel a catch in my throat when he says that..

    and a yearning to be loved as purely and as completely as Forrest loves Jenny. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. A wonderful comment Bluey. Its the same with me every time I watch the movie. The yearning too . . .

    I wish that life gives you unconditional love and happiness.

    Joy always,
    Susan

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  3. Awesome post. It really got me to thinking. True unconditional love is so rare, and such a treasure

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  4. Yes Susan. You know what: Its so delightful to address my namesake.It makes me feel as if I am talking to myself.

    True unconditional love is sure a rare commodity.

    But I do wish you find unconditional love and joy!

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  5. hey, you ever seen the movie 'when a man loves a woman'? Isn't that unconsitional love too? To be able to accept someone through everything.....

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  6. Sayujya: Great to see your comment. I haven't seen that one. I will see it if I get the chance. Hope all is well with you. Thanks for coming by.

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  7. It is also for me one of my very favorite movies. Long time have not seen it, had my explanation, which already forgot. But now, reading this, I believe, that the reason, why he did not stay with him, was may be exact her love to him. His love to her was the protection from the bad things in the world and her love to him was her protection for him from her own broken soul. He was like a sick animal which leave the others to preserve them from being sick. But another explanation would be, that he did not love herself and he could not stay with somebody, who loves her. But, I think in the end his unconditional love has saved her soul for Love and Life.

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  8. Honiahaka: Thanks for coming by. I agree with what you say. Unconditional love is something everyone searches for.

    Hope to see more of you!

    Joy always.

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  9. Freddy!!!!

    Thanks for that one. Unconditional love is sought after by both men as well as women.

    Good Night:-)

    Joy always.

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  10. 'being practical'- truly speaking, I hate it bt I hav to be though I try to use it just for my protection in this practical world. I don't call it stupid if one isn't so much practical. What i feel is Gump has been shown as a character who is so mature he doesn't feel the pain of being hurted by the lady.
    Though I haven't watched the movie and just said what i could catch from your post, now i would love to watch it.
    Further, when you have mentioned about 'not so smart' people loving unconditionally, i would say if mature people are not so smart, then probably it is the fact, for, everyone can't show unconditional love. We all know one person loving everyone unconditionally as GOD, so, now you may be able to compare Him and anyone who shows such feeling.
    Enjoyed reading your post.
    Happy writing!

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  11. Sunny:

    Thanks for taking the time to read this old post.

    Watch the movie and then we shall talk about the same.

    Joy always :)

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  12. Unconditional love is so rare and precious...have not seen the film (oh! yah, I haven't)...but can relate to your reflections. In most of the hindi movies too, they show that only a not so smart guy is capable of unconditional love.

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  13. I can't tell you how many times I have longed for lack of knowledge. Yet I keep learning and want to. Odd.

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  14. Janu:

    You should see this film. I'm sure you'll love it. Thanks for visiting this old post of mine. It was written in 2010.

    Jan:

    Quite odd. I face similar situations quite often. Thanks for coming by dear Jan. Much appreciated.

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  15. A post that asks some might powerful questions, Susan. I think that only children and people like Forrest Gump can lovely so unconditionally. As much as we'd like to we can't love that way...Would I accept love like that in my life - I'm not sure either...

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  16. This is a thought-provoking post.

    Personally, I do not find unconditional love to be rare since I experience it in my life daily. That is, I intend to unconditionally love all of God's children whether they are smart or stupid, right or wrong, nice or mean, or whatever.

    I believe Jenny does love Forrest in this way.

    I think the real question you are asking is whether I would 'forsake all others' and commit to an exclusive romantic relationship with someone like Forrest Gump. I doubt it, but it's not impossible.

    I believe that the partner I'm meant to be with is not necessarily the smartest, or the handsomest, or the richest or even the kindest. The one I'm meant to be with is the one whom God wants to make something out of the union of him and me together.

    In the case of Forrest Gump that 'something' was a son. This is my interpretation of this beautiful story. Love it!

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  17. I love Forrest Gump ..I think I could fall in love with him..would be safe for me..if only everyone could see the world as he does..As always...XOXOXOXOXO

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  18. I feel sad that I will only dream of the unconditional love from a man from watching a film. I don't think I'll ever find it other than from my children friends and mother. I think fg is a lovely character and you despair at what choices Jenny makes in life but sometimes life just gets too hard to make the choices that would give you happiness.

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    Replies
    1. Don't despair. We all get through life. Cheers.

      Thanks for stopping by dear one.

      Delete
  19. That's true. Sometimes were not aware on what disabled people feels about the times that they were teased by our society.. For me having disabilities is not insufficiency to be successful someday, but it is an inspiration for us to do our best for our future,,,.. :)

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    Replies
    1. I can never see Gump as disabled. He was just a sweet naive fella who was pure in heart.

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  20. I have that same love. I have been in love with someone since I first laid eyes on her as a child and no matter what, I'm always thinking about her. Hoping making sure that she is alright, picking up the pieces others leave behind. I'm not a little off like Forest so I have the mental capacity to rationalize my actions and second guess, but no matter what, I just love her. no matter what I will always be there. honestly i'm not sure I can remember a time when i didn't love her. I would say, its hard on me with other relationships, but i have never felt this way about another then i do for this one. its crazy but its the pure truth.

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    Replies
    1. Dear Brandon:

      Thanks for stopping by. I can only say that your girl is a very lucky woman. Take care of her and yourself.

      I wish there were more like you.

      Delete

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