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Forrest Gump (1994)

By Michael Schilf · November 19, 2010

Screenplay Genre: Drama / Romance

Movie Time: 142 minutes

1. INCITING INCIDENT

On his first day of school, Forrest (Tom Hanks) enters the school bus, but all the other kids refuse to let him sit down; however, one little girl named Jenny offers the empty seat next to her, and this sets up Forrest's love affair with Jenny (Robin Wright). Forrest explains, "From that day we was always together. Jenny and me was like peas and carrots." (00:12:21)

2. LOCK IN (End of Act One)

After graduating college, Forrest enlists in the Army and is sent to Vietnam. Forrest is once again on a bus – now a military bus – and the other new recruits refuse to let him sit down: however, a black man named Bubba (Mykelti Williamson) offers him a seat, and the rest is history. Bubba immediately becomes Forrest's "best good friend." (00:31:37)

3. FIRST CULMINATION (Midpoint)

While in Washington, D.C. to receive his Medal of Honor, Forrest accidentally ends up on stage as part of an anti-war rally and is asked to speak to thousands of people filling the National Mall. Even though the microphone cuts out during his speech, Jenny – now part of the hippie counterculture – hears his name and yells out from the crowd. Forrest and Jenny run to each other, reuniting in the Reflecting Pool to the cheers of thousands. (1:04:02)

4. MAIN CULMINATION (End of Act Two)

While on his Shrimp boat with Lt. Dan (Gary Sinise), Forrest receives a phone call that his mama (Sally Field) is sick. Upon arriving home, Forrest discovers she's dying of cancer. During this heartfelt farewell, she explains that she was destined to be his mama. But when Forrest asks about his own destiny, she responds, "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get." (1:38:47)

5. THIRD ACT TWIST

Now in present day, Forrest reveals that he is waiting at the bus stop because he received a letter from Jenny and is there to visit her. Once he is reunited with Jenny, Forrest discovers that she has a young son, also named Forrest. Jenny reveals, "I named him after his daddy." Forrest discovers that he is the boy's father. (1:59:53)