Forrest Gump
The film has many good moments, I must admit I was invested. The negative reviews are not wrong, but I could look beyond them in the movie. I think Forrest Gump has a very distinct persona, and should not be used as a generalization of the average American. No average American would start running for 3 years because they felt like it, it requires a certain lack of attachment, or freedom, that is simply too specific in reference to his losses.
The film did not showcase a life of success through following orders. In fact it seems to be precisely the opposite. He works up a life of fame and fortune through this method, yet it all becomes meaningless to him at the face of his simple desires for love and companionship. He was just as unfulfilled as Jenny, who is, according to critics, punished by the film for pursuing her unconventional dreams. It would be too speculative to accuse the writers of intending this as a message, instead of a naturalist depiction of how it reasonably is to try (& fail) to become famous. Of course the movie is not naturalist, because of the bizarre life course that Forrest takes, but that too could be a grotesque depiction of how stuff is, that is mindlessly following orders being rewarded. Why is this movie not perceived as a societal critique, when it just might as well have been? I can't speak for the intention of whoever worked on this movie but I can speak of my interpretation, which, if coherent, should be what actually matters for a review.
The viewer roots for Forrest not because he's a shallow thinker, but because he feels so deeply. It's undeniably a compelling narrative, and I believe it holds much more value beyond the alleged message to "follow orders and be successful".