Big (1988)

 Big (1988)

Tom Hank’s Big is one of my favorite films of 1988. It is a poignant film that will make you laugh, cry, and want to see many times. It is one of those features that is rewatchable. This magical adventure is about your inner child and how you should never, ever lose it no matter how old you are. For a film that is more than thirty years old, it is a tale that is more relatable than ever especially as we live in a world that grows more cynical by the day. In lesser hands, this film probably would not have worked. But, Tom Hanks was able to sell his childlike demeanor into something that will inspire people for all ages to come. On top of that, he is a mighty fine dancer (yes, I am referring to the famous FAO Schwartz piano dance).

Penny Marshall directed the film, and a fun trivia fact is that her film became the first one directed by a female director to gross more than a hundred million dollars at the box office. Well deserved too. It was not always going to be that way. Steven Spielberg was originally attached to direct the movie but had to leave the project with the birth of his son. I do not know how the story would have turned out, but the film almost starred Robert De Niro. He is a fantastic actor, but he does not have the “skillset” for this type of movie…unlike everyone’s favorite American actor, Tom Hanks.

Josh Baskin is a twelve-year-old kid who is always tired of being pushed around. He has the dream to become an adult. His dream becomes true when he runs into a fortune-telling machine named Zoltar. After making his wish, he wakes up in the body of a thirty-year-old (played by Hanks). Josh quickly learns that being an adult is not all that easy. He needs to find a job, which he does as a data entry clerk at a toy company. He impresses the owner, MacMillan (Robert Loggia) with his toy insight. He quickly earns a promotion. He also gets the attention of fellow executive, Susan (Elizabeth Perkins) and her jealous boyfriend, Paul (John Heard). With Josh, who’s soul is still a child, will he forget what it is like to be a child?

The performances are nothing short of excellent. I mentioned how Hanks was able to sell the childlike innocence despite being an adult. For all the poignancy, there is plenty of comedy. The scene where Josh and Susan have a ‘sleepover” had me in hysterics. Josh’s rivalry with Paul is also really funny. Both Perkins and Heard delivered stupendous performances with their adult minds barely able to comprehend Josh’s child-like qualities. Finally, there is lots of heart. Hanks and Loggia played off each other so well. This is the scene everyone remembers, but the film’s heart is on display when the two men are dancing to “Heart and Soul” and “Chopsticks” on the piano. Finally, the child actors were believable in their respective roles. Jared Rushton as Josh’s friend Billy and David Moscow as young Josh made you believe they were truly friends.

Overall, I loved Big. It is funny, smart, and charming. It was released during a time where age-swapping comedies were being released by the dozen it seems. It, and many others may have been influenced by the 1987 Italian comedy La Grande, but it does not hold a candle to what is onscreen here. The script from Anne Spielberg and Gary Ross managed the right tone, Penny Marshall proved her deft directorial skills, we all know about Hanks and the rest of the cast, and Howard Shore also created a simple, but memorable score. This is the reason why we go to the movies. To see relatable films that one will never forget. I have seen this film so many times and I still love it every single time.

My Grade: A+