Forrest Gump Reviewed by an Autist

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To offer my perspective as an autistic person, I was impressed with how Forrest Gump was executed in portraying the most autism-coded character in cinema history. It is a drama/romance film that depicts a young man implied to have high-functioning autism through the perspective of the titular character, Forrest Gump. This unique man had been living a life that warranted his quote. "Life is like a box of chocolates." 

The movie goes down in the books as the one that resonates with people on the spectrum when it comes to Mr. Gump exhibiting autistic traits. These traits are shown as limited awareness of his surroundings, echolalia, showing few emotions, keeping a consistent tone of voice, flawed socialization, and being exceptionally skilled at everything he's told to do. I want to commend Tom Hanks for his legendary performance as Forrest Gump, making me grow on the character more. Let's not forget to mention the rest of the cast for their part in playing the most important people that shaped his whole special life.

Forrest didn't think much of what he was doing throughout the film that could've ended in disaster on paper. However, he had been winning at life without even thinking of doing so. He achieved success in life from college graduation, winning highest national honors, and running a successful shrimping business, which led him to a positive outcome: being left with his son he had with Jenny in their complicated relationship until her tragic death, with the cause being left a mystery.

One of the best things about this movie is that it’s relatable. We all place belief in our best plans for our lives, but life writes out a different path for us when we least expect it. Regardless of your struggles, Forrest Gump is a strong reminder that we can flow more smoothly by appreciating every piece of chocolate we're getting in the chocolate box that is life. Another strong point I must mention is the connections with new friends Forrest made along the way, more than just with Jenny.

What made this movie more relatable for me was Forrest and Jenny's unreciprocated relationship for most of the movie. That represents how many people on the spectrum tend to miss the signs and subtle cues neurotypical people give off that mean they are romantically uninterested in them. However, we can always learn from the mistakes we make when we miss the signs and apply that to our next approaches with the ones we fall in love with.

Finally, what I love about this film are the unexpected surprises such as surviving in war, hitting the jackpot with loads of shrimp, landing a position in football, and running across America in a few years that didn't break Forrest. Despite his implied autism, Forrest ultimately turned out better in the end than I initially feared after the big events he went through in his story. In my humble observation, his alleged autism was his brightest gift, more than running, which served him well to the bittersweet end. I attest that autism can serve as a strength with its own weaknesses in terms of its traits being subtle and blatant enough to make an impact on our lives with it.

All in all, Forrest Gump is autism-coded storytelling at its peak and ought to serve as an inspiration for my fellow autists out there who need to embrace their minds the way they are regardless of where they fall on the autism spectrum. This film should serve as a wholesome reminder that we can be grateful for life for what it has to offer us, like a box of chocolates. Overall, I give this movie a 9 out of 10.