Is Robin Wright’sForrest GumpCharacter ‘Anti-Feminist’? Actress Responds to Criticism: 'She Was Kind of Selfish'

Mar. 15, 2025

Robin Wright and Tom Hanks in 1994’s Forrest Gump.Photo:Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Robin Wrightis addressing some long-standing backlash to herForrest Gumpcharacter.

While Wright, 58, and her costarTom Hanksspoke withThe New York Timesabout their new movieHerein an interview published Friday, Nov. 1, the actress was asked to comment on the notion that she played “kind of an anti-feminist role” in the movie.

“No! It’s not about that. People have said she’s a Voldemort to Forrest. I wouldn’t choose that as a reference, but she was kind of selfish,” Wright said. InForrest Gump, Wright portrays Jenny, the title character’s childhood friend whom he remains in love with throughout the movie.Forrest Gumptraces the characters' lives over many decades. They cross paths multiple times as adults, eventually welcoming a child together before Jenny grows terminally ill.

“I don’t think it’s a punishment that she gets AIDS. She was so promiscuous — that was the selfishness that she did to Forrest,” Wright added. “He was in love with her from Day 1. And she was just flighty and running and doing coke and hooking up with a Black Panther. And then she gets sick and says, ‘This is your child. But I’m dying.’

Robin Wright and Tom Hanks in 1994’s Forrest Gump.Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

The relationship between Forrest and Jenny inForrest Gump, one of Hanks and Wright’s most recognizable films, has remained amajor pointof discussionin the three decades since it released in 1994.

“And he still takes her: ‘I’ll take care of you at Mama’s house,’ " Wright recalled. The movieendsas Forrest cares for Jenny until her death and takes their son to his first day of school. “I mean, it’s the sweetest love story.”

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Forrest Gumpis considered one of the best movies of the 20th century. It won sixAcademy Awardsat the67th Oscars, including the Best Picture award and Hanks' victory in the Best Actor category.

“It’s a movie that I will always feel sentimental about, not only because it’s a great movie,” Wright told theTimesof the film elsewhere in the interview. “Sentimental working with these guys because it was such a great experience.”

Hereis in theaters now.

source: people.com