Forrest Gump: Love it or Hate it?

St. Widge said
It think it's unrealistic and more important detrimental to progress. It's exactly that thinking that has harmed our standing in the world and destroyed our economy. As far as education, how is it that he managed to get into those schools and into the University of Alabama? Obviously not based on skill. It was based on underhanded actions.

I don't really agree with that interpretation. Actually I think of it is as the opposite view. Remember Forrest was disabled as a child, his turning into a college football star was that typical Horatio Alger "no obstacle too big to overcome" Cinderalla story. Although I can definitely see an anti-intellectual "aw shucks" tone to the movie - how the political dissidents in the 60s were portrayed for instance. And how his shrimping business only succeeded because his boat was miraculously the only one that survived the storm. I don't think the movie devalues personal initiative and hard work at all.

What I found really unrealistic is him linking up with his teenage crush 15 years down the road. In all probably, Jenny would have been married to some truck driver and been on her 4th or 5th kid by the time she considered Forrest "suitable" He dealt with unrequited love terribly IMO.

But, hey, if you want to love a movie that expresses the philosophical foundation of "the nanny state", more power to you.

I don't see how. Forrest certainly didn't receive any government help.