Don't miss: Forrest Gump

Robert Zemeckis' film stars Tom Hanks as Forrest, a simple sort of fellow who manages to insert himself in to all sorts of historical events (Zemeckis used special effects to drop Hanks in to news footage, to great effect). The film follows Forrest's adventures, which include college footy stardom, table-tennis greatness, a stint in the Vietnam War as well as a run literally across the country, among plenty of others. In Vietnam, Forrest befriends Lt. Dan (Gary Sinese), a friendship that will endure ups & downs. Ups & downs define Forrest's life, in fact. His are more eventful than most. That is true of his relationship with Jenny (Robin Wright),his childhood mate & finally the brother of his infant.

A lot, actually. & not because it won six Oscars, including best picture, best actor & best director. Winning Oscars doesn't automatically make a movie great, of coursework (see "Gladiator" & "Titanic" for proof). But it doesn't hurt the argument, & frankly, for reasons that are not clear, "Forrest Gump" needs all the help it can get.

The movie, immensely popular when it came out in 1994, is now mostly recalled derisively for the quick-and-easy "Life is a box of chocolates" references, forgetting better lines like, "I may not be a smart man, but I know what love is." That is unfortunate. Yes, Hanks can overdo it a bit, but there is also real sadness in Forrest's life, & Hanks gets at it. Sinese is also outstanding (& Oscar-nominated in a supporting role), his Lt. Dan seething with the betrayal & anger so plenty of Vietnam veterans felt.

"Forrest Gump" is not the best movie ever made, not even the best movie Tom Hanks has made (though it is certainly in that conversation). But it is a movie well worth revisiting, to remind you of what you certainly liked about it the first time around.