The script potential score of Forrest Gump is 0.88, a blockbuster (predicted 276-337MM; actual 330MM)
The script of Forrest Gump will appeal to 25.21 – 30.81 % of the population
99% events in Forrest Gump are borrowed from 3 mythological tales
The script of Forrest Gump will appeal to 25.21 – 30.81 % of the population
Any story is the quest to fulfil a human desire. We have identified universal quests for every human desire. These universal quests reveal the invisible plot structure of stories. An analysis of Blockbuster, Hit & Flop plots led to the discovery of Mythosis Code. The Code reveals the story principles shared by all Blockbusters. We use the Code to estimate and unlock a story’s Blockbuster potential.
All Blockbusters have at least 3 universal quests. Forrest Gump has three universal quests of Acceptance, Accumulation & Status.
In Blockbusters, each universal quest is mirrored by ONLY ONE character. Forrest mirrors the universal quest of Acceptance. Lt Dan mirrors the quest of Status & Jenny mirrors the quest of Accumulation.
Every Blockbuster character borrows at least 35% of the universal quest. Forrest’s character borrows 40% of the universal quest of Acceptance. Lt Dan borrows 36% of the quest of Status. Jenny’s character borrows 56% of the quest of Accumulation.
Blockbusters interweave different quests to create a tight plot structure. Interweaving occurs when events of 2 quests occur simultaneously in the story. Blockbusters have a quest interweaving threshold of 0.5. Forrest Gump’s quest interweaving score is 0.67 and is above par. An example of interweaving of Forrest’s & Jenny’s quests:
Blockbusters have a script score of at least 0.64 whereas Forrest Gump’s script score is 0.88. Based on the script score we estimate that the movie will appeal to 25.21 – 30.81 % of the population.
The plot structure of Forrest Gump borrows deeply from 3 universal quests which are interwoven on 7 occasions. Even though Forrest’s character has more screen time, Jenny’s character has the maximum depth.
99% events in Forrest Gump are borrowed from 3 mythological tales
At Mythosis, we have identified 32 mythological tales. Each mythological tale uniquely represents a human quest to fulfil a desire. These tales are the super set of thousands of tales across cultures.
We have codified the events of each mythological tale. Every tale has 5 major arcs. Each arc has a sequence of events. These events culminate into a major event. Here is the mapping of each character’s quest to the major events in their respective mythological tale.
Quest 1: Forrest mirrors 40% of Theseus’ quest for Acceptance (above threshold of 35%)
Forrest’s desire for Acceptance stems from the need for approval by others. The tale of Theseus from Greek mythology is the universal quest for Acceptance.
Quest 2: Jenny mirrors 56% of Valmiki’s quest for Accumulation (above threshold of 35%)
Jenny’s desire for Accumulation stems from the need to collect & own. The tale of Valmiki from Hindu mythology has a robust expression in Dicken’s character of Scrooge which is the universal quest for Accumulation.
Quest 3: Lt Dan mirrors 36% of Joseph’s quest for Status (above threshold of 35%)
Lt Dan’s desire for Status stems from the need for social standing & respect. The tale of Joseph from Abrahamic mythology is the universal quest for Status.
Tags:1994, Acceptance, Accumulation, Box office, Character development, Joseph, Movie Review, Mythology, Paramount Pictures, Robert Zemeckis, Script, Status, Story plot, The Tisch Company, Theseus, Valmiki
