Forrest Gump [Spoilers]
I remember the first time seeing the movie with my father in 1994. I loved the movie then, loved it still as I've grown up, even cry from time to time when I hear Alan Silvestri's soul stirring title score. I loved the story in where a man, no matter their condition, could be a part of history, in background or before the world. But nothing could prepare me for the original novel by Winston Groom.
I never thought screenwriter Eric Roth would deviate so much from the original material. Groom's Forrest Gump is one of the most hilarious and non PC books I have ever read, but I can understand why Groom's original story was not released on film. One of the many reasons the original story was not released is because of the content. Imagine if the South Park creators made Forrest Gump... Actually, that's practically how Groom's Forrest Gump is. Very raw, borderline racist, exploitive of the mentally handicapped, and our protagonist ends up in some wild and zany circumstances (Ex. Gump arrested, sent to asylum, then sent to NASA, trained as an astronaut, crash lands in Guinea, and ends up farming cotton for cannibals). With that spoiler, I guess we covered the second reason the original story was not used: IT'S UNBELIEVABLE!!! And finally, Paramount considered Forrest Gump as a loss yet it stands the test of time as a pop cultural symbol and was heavily revered come awards season. The original story, with production and advertising costs would have probably bankrupted Paramount. But, I have to admit, it would have been amazing to see on the big screen.
Apologies for turning this post in a potential WTF, but I had to get that one off my chest. I do however recommend reading Groom's Forrest Gump, which is truly different, hilarious, and, like the movie, awe inspiring.
