I think the theory about going full retard is true. Can anyone think a movie where an actor went full retard and got an Oscar? I can't think of any. I am Sam, Sling Blade, Nell, all got nominated but didn't win.
Billy Bob Thornton should have won easily for Sling Blade. I'm also a fan of Geoffrey Rush, who won for Shine, but Thornton clearly deserved to win. Maybe it's because Thornton is seems to be jackass. I imagine he's made plenty of enemies. It's a shame because he can be incredible when he wants to be. He was exceptional in Sling Blade and The Man Who Wasn't There. He was pretty good in A Simple Plan as well.
Forest Gump was no full-retard. He looked retarded, talked retarded but ran a successful shrimping business and had military honors. Challenged, yes. Not retarded. And that's all I have to say about that.
He was certainly not autistic. And how would autism increase his chances in acceptance in the military? I would think either would get you rejected, especially now. EDIT: Evidently it was one point over the requirement of mild mental retardation at the time. So 1 point short of "full retard," whatever that is. He would be diagnosed with Borderline Intellectual Functioning now.
Well whatever it was, I can tell you with full confidence that he wasn't full retard. If you ever rode the short bus before, you'd know what I'm talking about. And yes, I rode the short bus.