Key Takeaways:
– Tom Hanks openly praises Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction as a masterpiece.
– Despite winning the Best Picture award over Pulp Fiction, Hanks defends Forrest Gump against criticism.
– Hanks believes Forrest Gump deserved its Best Picture Oscar win due to its profound emotional resonance with audiences.
Tom Hanks' High Esteem for Pulp Fiction
Despite his starring role in the critically acclaimed comedy-drama film Forrest Gump, Tom Hanks is anything but critical of Pulp Fiction, the film that Forrest Gump beat for the Best Picture Academy Award in 1994. Both films were major box office successes, with Forrest Gump raking in $679 million globally, while Pulp Fiction earned $213.9 million.
Tom Hanks has shown his admiration for Quentin Tarantino's work in Pulp Fiction, even saying in a recent interview with the New York Times that the crime film is a “masterpiece without a doubt.” It is evident that Hanks greatly appreciated Tarantino's creation and thought highly of the movie despite competition between the two films during the award season.
Defending Forrest Gump's Oscar Win
The controversial win of Forrest Gump over Pulp Fiction for the Best Picture Oscar is still debated today, with many arguing that the latter was unjustifiably snubbed. However, Tom Hanks felt different. He firmly defended the Oscar win of Forrest Gump despite the common criticism that the movie is a mere nostalgia-fest.
Doling out his perspective on this, Hanks expressed that while some might view Forrest Gump as a ‘sappy nostalgia fest', it's emotional depth and moving narrative trump this criticism. The actor further pointed out the heartfelt human aspect in the film which, according to him, elevated it from a mere nostalgia fest to a piece of art that deeply resonates with the audiences.
Responding to Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan's critique of Forrest Gump as preachy, Hanks held a steady defence, disagreeing with the notion that his movie was dull or less intriguing than Pulp Fiction. He believes that Forrest Gump rightfully deserved the Best Picture award, underlining its profound emotional resonance which helped it win hearts globally.
A Healthy Competitive Atmosphere
The playful rivalry between Forrest Gump and Pulp Fiction has always been alive, both in the box office and the award season. Reports were that Quentin Tarantino was slightly miffed at losing to Forrest Gump during the award season. However, the crime film director may take solace in knowing that Tom Hanks, the star of the movie that beat his work for Best Picture, had high praise for Pulp Fiction.
Final Thoughts
Both Forrest Gump and Pulp Fiction remain fan favorites, each with its unique storytelling style and memorable performances. Despite the ongoing debate over which film deserved the Best Picture Oscar more, both movies have undoubtedly left an enduring imprint on cinema history. For viewers hoping to revisit or catch these films for the first time, Forrest Gump and Pulp Fiction are available for streaming on Paramount+ and Max respectively.
Regardless of the side of the debate you are on, it's touching to see actors like Hanks expressing admiration for their peer's work. It's a healthy reminder that while competition is a part of the film industry, mutual respect and admiration for each other's work are just as essential.
