As movies became a more prominent source of entertainment for people worldwide, holidays also got a boost, as now, films themed around these particular occasions could help bring about the holiday spirit on a broader scope. From Christmas to Halloween, there's always been something for people to watch. But regarding the United States of America's Independence Day, The Fourth of July, these films were more themed either around movies centered on the holiday, like Jaws, or based on anything patriotic. One film that challenged this notion by offering something new was another classic titled Forrest Gump -- but could it be considered a true Fourth of July film?

The film followed the life of a man named Forrest Gump and how he navigated life through strange happenstance events that placed him in some of the most important moments of American history. Rather than be set during the American Revolution or World War II in the 1940s, Forrest Gump was placed primarily around the most formative years of the country following the war. As a result, Forrest endured Vietnam, met Kennedy, exposed Watergate and even invested in Apple before the company became what it was today. As he navigated the world, the love of his life, Jenny, served as the opposite end of the spectrum, partaking in the hippie movement and living a much more carefree life that challenged Forrest's structure and often kept them apart.

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Forrest Goes For A Run In Forrest Gump

Throughout the movie, Forrest was a part of some of the most critical moments in American history. Yet, he also gave audiences a glimpse at life through the eyes of someone who wasn't important around that time. It gave a grounded realism to a story about a fictional person as they got to see his reactions to the world. He saw the best and the worst of people but kept his head above water by living by the philosophies of his mother. In a way, he represented the average American at that time, who faced these turbulent historical events and tried their best to keep their heads above water.

Perhaps one of the darkest aspects of the film was everything that had happened to Forrest's friend, Lieutenant Dan, who survived Vietnam thanks to Forrest. Since he had dreamed of dying on the battlefield, he resented Forrest for saving him and endured the brunt of the cruelty that other veterans of the war went through. It was a dark reflection of how soldiers were viewed at that time and brought to light the country's imperfections.

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Forrest Gump on Bus Bench (1994)

Forrest Gump, as a film, represents the hope that every American has and how life could go according to plan, off the rails or have tons of surprises. It also represented how no one knew what could come from it, as it's like a box of chocolates. But in the end, it's what we make of it. This is best shown through how America is represented throughout the film as neither a hero nor a villain. Instead, it's a flawed entity that is whatever a person makes of it. But for all the bad, the good that exists, like Forrest, can show how its beauty isn't as lost as it may seem.

In the end, Forrest Gump could definitely be considered a Fourth of July film, even if that wasn't the intent. It kept things raw and hard-hitting when it came to exploring history and didn't glamorize everything. As a result, it could be seen as a tough pill to swallow. That said, thanks to Forrest's optimistic outlook, he showed that the world is as it is, and it's up to the individual to decide what that could be. For America, it may be greatly flawed, but there are still Forrests out there that keep the optimism alive without even realizing it, and the film has no issues reminding viewers of that.