Cultural Impact and Backlash of Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump initially received immense acclaim, earning it a spot among the top-grossing films of all time, which raised questions about why a backlash developed against it over the years. The film performed exceptionally well at the box office, raking in $330 million domestically and almost $700 million worldwide, and it dominated the Oscars of 1995, winning Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor. However, many critics and film enthusiasts later viewed it as overly sentimental, manipulative, and a representation of an era when actors often portrayed characters with disabilities for award recognition. This juxtaposition has led to heated discussions regarding its cultural relevance and the reasons behind its shift in perception from a beloved classic to a criticized piece of cinema.