As an actor I am always waiting for my luck to run out.
The same way that I know that I'll never do a movie as good or as celebrated as 'Forrest Gump,' I know that I'll never do a movie as bad as 'Bonfire of the Vanities.'
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the recognition of both achievements and failures in one's career. It highlights a sense of humility and self-awareness in an artist's journey.
In this quote, Tom Hanks expresses an understanding of the highs and lows in his film career. He acknowledges that while 'Forrest Gump' stands as a pinnacle of success in terms of acclaim and achievement, he also accepts that not every project will resonate positively with audiences, as exemplified by 'Bonfire of the Vanities.' This sentiment emphasizes that success and failure are integral parts of any creative endeavor, and that one must embrace both experiences.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech to aspiring filmmakers, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of accepting both successes and failures in the creative process.
More from Tom Hanks
All quotes βEven the simplest choice can make a jaw-dropping difference in our world.
My kid could get a bad X-ray and I could get a call from the doctor saying I have something growing in my bum and that would change my perspective on everything instantaneously, on what is and what is not important.
Back in World War II, we viewed the Japanese as 'yellow, slant-eyed dogs' that believed in different gods. They were out to kill us because our way of living was different. We, in turn, wanted to annihilate them because they were different. Does that sound familiar, by any chance, to what's going on today?
I think it's better to feel good than to look good.
If you look at romantic comedies as pieces of commerce, the audience is looking for wish fulfillment.
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We built this country by making things, by producing goods we could sell.
There's a long history of people who spent that $300,000 on their first film and weren't quite ready, and then they never did it again 'cause they were out of synch with where they were, and they would never raise that money again.
Here's what you should say [to an investor]: 'this is what my company does' It's that simple. What you're trying to do is get potential investors to fantasize about how your product or service will make a boatload of money. They can't fantasize if they don't know what you do.
My success was due to good luck, hard work, and support and advice from friends and mentors. But most importantly, it depended on me to keep trying after I had failed.
When I played cricket for the West Indies, I never worried. I never really watched anyone else. I had a job to do, and I tried to do it to the best of my ability.
There are lot of people who speak about superstardom, but I'd like to say that it's not about any individual - it's about the opportunity.