The beginning and end of Forrest Gump, as millions know, feature a feather. A lovely little feather, seemingly unbound by gravity. It floats over houses, churches and trees. It may dip or settle, only to rise again, triumphant, borne by a breeze.
It's an apt metaphor not just for the movie's plot -- Man's Fortunes Rise for No Apparent Reason -- but also for its box-office fortunes: in six weeks, Gump has floated to grosses of nearly $200 million.
Just shows you how far a lightweight can go in this country.
For the as yet un-Gumped, here is a jaundiced synopsis:...