Twenty-two years, that is how long it has been since one of the most raved movies of all time, “Forrest Gump,” has been released. Although two decades seems like forever, this movie is still a favorite among many for the lessons it teaches and the joy it brings watchers.

For those who have not seen this movie, it follows a man named Forrest Gump, played by Tom Hanks, who has a lower than average I.Q. but still lives his life to the fullest. His mom (Sally Fields) teaches him that no matter what, he can do anything and urges Forrest to find his destiny. During his childhood, Forrest befriends a girl named Jenny (Robin Wright) and the two were just like “peas and carrots.” Throughout the movie, Forrest ends up falling for Jenny, but she experiences struggles in her life that cause her to make some bad and difficult choices. Although Forrest tries, he cannot stop thinking about the love of his life and tries constantly to help Jenny find her way back.

This film is not great just for the storyline, but also because it chronicles real life events that have happened in history, told through Forrest’s life. He encountered various famous people, including Elvis Presley and John Lennon. He also met three different presidents, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon. Forrest met these presidents for many different reasons: being a member of the NCAA All-American football team, having served in the Vietnam War and receiving the Medal of Honor and representing the U.S. in China for ping-pong.

Forrest lived through one of the most turbulent times in American history. He experienced the Civil Rights movement, protests over the Vietnam War, President Kennedy’s assassination and uncovered the Watergate scandal. One of the reasons this movie is so special is because of the storyline and events Forrest lives through. These events were larger than life, and Forrest brings them alive. This movie is about more than historical events and a man with a low I.Q. It teaches valuable lessons and has an optimistic outlook that makes people want to find their own destiny.