Lawn mowers, the unsung heroes of suburban peace, have been cropping up (pun intended) in Hollywood for years. Whether as symbols of ordinary life or tools of comedic mischief, these machines have left a mark on the cinematic world. One of the most iconic moments featuring a lawn mower comes from “Forrest Gump”, but there are many more. Let’s take a cinematic journey through some famous films where lawn mower brands have taken center stage.
1. Snapper in “Forrest Gump” (1994)
Arguably the most iconic movie moment for lawn mower enthusiasts, “Forrest Gump” features the protagonist Forrest (Tom Hanks) mowing a football field with a Snapper riding lawn mower. After achieving financial success with his shrimp business (and a solid stock pick!), Forrest doesn’t splurge on luxuries; instead, he chooses the simple joy of mowing. The Snapper brand gained significant recognition from this heartfelt moment in a major blockbuster.
2. John Deere in “Taking Care of Business” (1990)
In this comedy, starring James Belushi as an escaped convict who assumes the identity of a businessman, a memorable scene features a high-speed chase involving a John Deere riding mower. While John Deere is well-regarded for its agricultural machinery, its brief foray into Hollywood spotlighted the comedic potential of such a machine in a chase scene!
3. Lawn-Boy in “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” (1989)
Remember the terrifying scene when the kids, shrunk to the size of insects, almost get mowed down? That anxiety-inducing lawn mower is a Lawn-Boy. This scene truly capitalized on the inherent danger of the suburban lawn, turning a routine chore into a scary event for our miniaturized protagonists.
4. Craftsman in “Sling Blade” (1996)
This drama-thriller starring Billy Bob Thornton gives the Craftsman lawn mower brand a gritty edge. Thornton’s character, Karl, is an intellectually disabled man who becomes friends with a young boy and winds up working on a Craftsman mower as a part of his reintroduction to society. The brand here serves as a grounding tool, showing Karl’s earnest attempt to reintegrate into the community.
5. Toro in “The Straight Story” (1999)
Directed by David Lynch, “The Straight Story” tells the real-life journey of Alvin Straight, who traveled from Iowa to Wisconsin on a 1966 Toro lawn mower to reconcile with his ailing brother. The mower in this film is not just a tool but represents the slow, deliberate, and determined journey of a man looking for closure.
Happy Viewing!
While lawn mowers may seem like mundane tools, their appearances in films highlight their symbolic potency. They can represent everything from the simplicity and beauty of ordinary life, as in “Forrest Gump”, to the danger of the familiar made unfamiliar in “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”. So, the next time you’re mowing your lawn, remember: you’re not just cutting grass. You’re participating in a Hollywood legacy.