'Forrest Gump' is this month's free film of character

The public is invited to a screening of the dramatic film "Forrest Gump" at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 15 in the Council Chamber at Mission Viejo City Hall.

Sponsored by the Mission Viejo Community of Character Committee, the film presentation mirrors Mission Viejo's character trait of "respect."

"Forrest Gump" was released in 1994 and became the top-grossing film in North America that year. The movie won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Visual Effects and Best Film Editing.

The story depicts several decades in the life of Forrest Gump, a slow-witted but kind-hearted, good-natured and athletically prodigious man from Alabama who witnesses, and in some cases influences, some of the defining events of the latter half of the 20th century in the United States; more specifically, the period between Forrest's birth in 1944 and 1982.

The film is rated PG13 and may not be suitable for younger children.

After the movie screening, history teacher Bob Hayes will lead a discussion that includes Vietnam veteran Frans VandenBroek.

Mission Viejo City Hall is located at 200 Civic Center. For more information, call 949-830-7100.