Easily my favorite scene in the movie. Part of it is the "overcome with emotion" bit, but what I really love is that Forrest has gone through his life without showing much self-awareness. But when he asks, "Is he smart..." it sends ripples going all the way back to the beginning of the story. Every taunt and bit of cruelty echoes and makes Forrest an even more lovable and admirable character. He didn't respond to the cruelty because he was oblivious to it, but because he was kind.

Guess I was anticipating at least one upcoming film moment when I posted this the other day after the Schindler’s list Daily Dialogue post. kevinpgoulet says: August 21, 2013 at 11:53 PM Another film with “overcome with emotion” moments: FORREST GUMP: 1.) Forrest (Tom Hanks) unexpectedly learns he a son (Haley Joel Osment). Then Forrest wonders to Jenny (Robin Wright) if little Forrest is like his Daddy or is he… normal. 2.) Forrest says goodbye to Jenny at her grave. While Forest certainly has his limits and shortcomings, his capacity for warmth tenderness and most of all love are never more clear than in these moments. . . . Better head off now to 7-Eleven and pick my lotto numbers...

Kevin, agreed with everything. This whole scene is amazing. I think the other interesting scene is that it's the first time we see Forrest react in real time (in my memory) to a life altering event, and we see fear. Going to Basic, Alabama Football and a Hurricane, Forrest reacts almost blankly, it's only when he finds out he's a father that he backs away.

Great analysis, BK. And such a great example of all those setups, how they are all there as 'ghosts,' so we KNOW what Forrest is feeling at that PRECISE moment, his past crashing onto him with the fear of what Forrest Jr. might be like. Of course, Hanks just NAILS it, too.

It was a great suggestion, Kevin. And that scene with Forrest at Jenny's grave. Tear central. Another scene from FG I've featured before is where Jenny flings the rocks at her old house, ending with that incredible line of dialogue from Forrest, "Some times I guess there just aren't enough rocks." To be able to write a line like that would be incredible. But that's another scene where a character is overcome with emotion, in Jenny's case, rage. Thanks for the suggestion!

Great point, writerhaha. He even starts out that way in this scene, that blank look on his face, "He got a daddy named Forrest, too?" And then the news and boom, that all crumbles, he backs away, he is undone for a moment. Great stuff.