Forrest Gump: An Analysis of Product Placement, Themes, and Character

This report provides a detailed analysis of the movie Forrest Gump, covering various aspects such as product placement, thematic elements, and character analysis. The report begins by identifying and analyzing the product placements in the film, including brands like the Watergate Hotel, Nike, Dr. Pepper, Apple, and People’s Magazine, and their significance. It further explores Forrest Gump's character development, highlighting his running ability, his role in the Vietnam War, his ping pong skills, and his involvement in the shrimping and Apple businesses. The report also discusses the impact of product placement on the movie's relatability and the potential pros and cons of such practices. Furthermore, it examines key themes from the film, such as honesty, love, and embracing new experiences, while also suggesting a potential change regarding the portrayal of the character Jenny. Finally, the report includes examples of product placements in other movies like Transformers, The Matrix, and Cast Away.

Running head: FORREST GUMP
Forrest Gump
Student Name
University
Author’s note

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Q.1)
1. Watergate Hotel: famous for the Watergate Scandal during President Nixon’s Regime, the
hotel was shown in the film as the place where Forrest Gump was staying dutring his visit to
Richard Nixon.
2. Nike: The Nike Corteze shoes was presented to Forrest by his friend Jenny, receiving which
Forrest decides to go for ‘a little run’ across the country.
3. Dr. Pepper: While in his visit to the president, Forrest drank 15 bottles of Dr. Pepper as he
was not hungry, but thirsty!
4. Apple: The multinational company was placed I Forrest Gump to depict the share Forrest
receives following the profits of his friend Bubba’s shrimp company.
5. People’s Magazine: The magazine was placed in the scene where Forrest was narrating his
story to an African-American lady in the bus stop.
2. Part I) Forrest had remarkable running ability and speed, which impressed coach Bear Bryant
who was practice scouting football talents at the moment. Upon his persuasion, Forrest won the
football scholarship to the University of Alabama. And this scholarship helped Forrest receive
higher education.
Part 3) Forrest received the Medal of Honor for saving wounded fellow soldiers at the Vietnam
war where he served in the 9th Infantry Division. His running speed enabled him achieve the feat.

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Part 4) While in the Military Academy, Forrest develops a skill of playing ping pong, and
becomes a natural talent, Later he becomes a ping pong star by participating in the ping pong
diplomacy with the Chinese.
Part 5) As a ping pong star, Forrest invests his earning from the paddle making company to buy a
shrimping boat, fulfilling his friend Bubba’s dream. He then saves Lieutenant Dan and they
become partners in the shrimping business. Later on, surviving the Hurricane Carmen, Dan
invests the profits from Bubba Gump Shrimp Company in Apple Computers, through which both
of them becomes millionaire shareholders eventually.
Part 6) Forrest, after his mother’s death and the following rejection from Jenny, suffered from
terrible loneliness. Just to cheer himself up, he decides to go for a casual run, which eventually
became a nation-wide conquest. Covering city after city, he reached the Mississippi border.
3. The products placed in the movie was mostly popular American brands that appealed to the
mass as they could relate to it.
4. “Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.”
5.
i) Honesty
ii) Never being afraid to love
iii) Never being scare to try new things
iv) Taking pride in myself, just as the way I am.

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v) Do not fear of losing
6. One thing I would like to change in the movie is Jenny’s portrayal. The way she is portrayed
may confuse the audience, thinking her as an entirely selfish and irresponsible girl. Which
essentially she is not.
7. Transformers- General Motors
Nokia: The Matrix
Wilson Football- Cast Away
8. Pros:
i) A good movie helps companies to promote their brand image through product placement
ii) It increases profit margins for film companies
iii) An appropriate placement can enhance viewing experience by making the movie relatable
Cons:
i) It can interfere the plot unnecessarily
ii) Competitive brands can create conflict and confusion
iii) It is rather costly for the brands to place them in the movies

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