It's not a real story. The movie 'Forrest Gump' is a work of fiction. The character Forrest Gump, with his low IQ but big heart and his amazing adventures, is a made - up entity. While the movie shows real historical happenings, the story of Forrest himself, his relationships, his running across the country multiple times are all part of a fictional plot designed to entertain and also to make people think about life, love, and the American experience.