Navin R Johnson (Steve Martin) is, by even the most charitable psychological assessment, an imbecile. The adopted, white son of a black Mississippi family, he hits 18, swallows some biological truths, and sets out on a fortune-seeking journey of discovery (acquiring a pet dog named Shithead, getting a job at a grimey gas station, joining the circus and inventing the Opti-grab). Yes, he's an innocent in a cynical world. And no, he's not a bit like Forrest Gump.
DVD Extras:
Theatrical trailer, production notes.Martin's first major lead is a wonderfully excessive line-up of physical gags and puerile, sitcom-style set-pieces. Despite his obvious desperation to impress, the hit-rate is high ("You look so beautiful and peaceful you could almost be dead"), and the bludgeoning level of sheer silliness eventually prevails. Shame it's all let down by the meagre extras.
