REMINDER: this is a shitpost

  • GladiusB@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    It’s more complex than love = abuse. When we see it that way, it’s a no brainer. It’s being raised in abuse you equate love to the escape from the pain. Which usually stems from the excitement found elsewhere. Such as playing guitar naked on stage or with civil rights extremists.

    It takes years to feel that a normal relationship is what is right for you. Some of it is her fault for not finding that in herself. Some of it is her upbringing. I find her performance when she shows Forrest his son spot the fuck on for someone raised in such chaos and regretting their young behavior. They mean well, they just are unaware of their effects. Should they be aware? Absolutely. Is it their fault? Yes. Does it take them awhile? Yes. They could be battling addiction as well. Another escape.

    I still don’t understand the Jenny hate. She was a very real character I have met many times in my life.

    • Leg@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      I think the hate comes from an overall immaturity (I don’t mean this as an insult) in the audience. Forrest Gump is a really solid family movie because its characters are thoughtful and offer many things for a viewer to latch onto. As a child, I remember not really caring for Jenny’s behavior. It didn’t make sense to me, I hadn’t yet picked up on the sexual abuse from her father, her scenes were too sporadic for me to keep up with her character arc enough to care, etc. But I adored Forrest and loved watching him stumble his way into success. That was 20 years ago, and I’ve come to appreciate Jenny’s character for how much depth she holds. When I rewatch the movie, it’s because her story hits an emotional resonance with me. All that’s changed for me is I’ve learned to care more about a life like hers.

      I think it takes a certain amount of emotional intelligence to appreciate her character, and not everyone is there.