Analysis of opening scenes- Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump, the multi-award winning film, featuring Tom Hanks and Gary Sinise, is one of the most emotionally involved films there is around; making you tear jerky to smiling with happiness.

In the opening scene the flying feather is peacefully floating in the sky; this makes the whole atmosphere innocent and childlike as the high toned piano tune is simple but very effective. This would make the audience relate to the film as it makes you think of childhood due to the innocence of the tune. The feather could symbolize the journey people take throughout their lives, as we face twists and turns, up and downs, which is what life is about and of course Forrest Gump. Having the feather floating around also allows the audience to see all the surroundings and setting of the film, however, the feather does take a lot of the attention.

When the feather finally lands, it falls to the feet of a man. The close up of the shoes suggests that he is significant to the film and that the shoes themselves may be a main part to the story line. The shoes are also very worn, which suggests that the character uses his possessions in whatever state they are in or that he doesn't have much money, which makes the audience grow on the character and wanting to know more about him.

The clothes which are present in the film continually adds to the character and is introduced with camera moving from a low shot to a medium shot. The clothes uses suggest that the individual is an well dressed and that he always wants to make an impression for others. However the shoes he is wearing contrast to the pale suit, which emphasis that he is childlike as usually when wearing a suit you would wear smart shoes.

Involving the opening of the suitcase, showing the contents of what looks like his life, makes the audience feel sympathetic for him as he has not got many belongings to his name and that it seems as though he lives from his suitcase. It also shows that he treasures all what he finds and has, which gives an insight of his character. The contents of the suitcase are all in a precise but also are all fairly childish like objects, for example, the book. However throughout the film you find out what and why he treasures these objects so dearly.

The close up shot of the character, finally gives the audience a chance to see his face and expressions he has, which implies he is the main character of the story and would be present throughout the story line.