I think we can all agree that the movie Forrest Gump is an American classic. So what's so special about Forrest Gump? A good place to start is to look at Forrest Gump, the character, rather than the film as a whole. Simply saying “it’s simple” is an understatement. Forrest is a man with powerful morals, steadfast loyalty, and an extraordinary heart. What's intriguing about Forrest is how free he is from the prejudices and judgment of those close to him. He accepts Jenny as she is, regardless of the situation she finds herself in. He simply sees beyond. Likewise, his admiration and respect for Lieutenant Dan does not change once he becomes disabled. The film touches on many issues related to race, but with Forrest and his friend Bubba, it's not a factor. So much so that when Lieutenant Dan asks them, “Are you twins?” -- Forrest's "We are not relations, sir" is stated matter-of-factly. To Forrest, it is obvious that they are not brothers because they are not related, not because one is black and the other white. Diversity is a major theme throughout the film. Not just with race, but also with disability, both mental and physical. Lieutenant Dan is often upset with Forrest, but not because of his IQ. One of the greatest moments in the film is when Dan and Forrest take two girls to their room and Lt. Dan kicks the girls out when they start calling Forrest "stupid." This is important because, we understand, the problem the lieutenant has with his friend is not due to his simplicity or any other character flaw. This is because Dan felt cheated about his destiny to die in battle when Forrest saved him. Thus, leaving him paralyzed. I've heard opinions about the film where people have talked about how Forrest achieves opportunities in life through sheer luck. It's...... middle of paper...... we keep looking at them. You can't write these moments, you can't even really direct them, and you can't play them out deliberately. They just have to come to the actor, and he or she will then act accordingly. Back to my original question: why is Forrest Gump such a special movie? The film transports audiences through some of the most historic moments in American and world history and addresses issues such as race, war, sexual abuse, and a wide variety of prejudices. If the film teaches us anything, perhaps it's that history is not a static thing. The film teaches us that the story is not as simple as we think. It depends on whose eyes we see it. And watching Forrest Gump's incredible journey reminds us that we are here in the world and we can make a difference. And maybe courage, kindness, simplicity and love are the important things after all..