87 of 1001 Movies: Big (1988)

To be honest I can't remember many movies I've seen with Tom Hanks. It's true, I'm still missing out on Forrest Gump, but no worries I will watch soon. Big was a great place to star though because it proves without a doubt that Tom Hanks is one of the most talented actors around. To capture the enthusiasm and simplicity of being a kid when you're not a kid is difficult. Yet the line has to be straddled of a  boy who is on the verge of being a teenager also, and while that isn't always captured as well it still is a cute movie from Penny Marshall with some moments that are hilarious but few.

Josh feels like most kids on the verge of being a teenager. He wants to do all these adult things, but his current size and age prohibit him from being able to do so. He wants to date the older girl, and ride the big rides at the fair, but that is at a loss until he comes across a machine at the fair that grants wishes. He cast his wish, and unexpectedly finds himself to be as he requested...big. As an adult though things start off a little difficult. His mom thinks he's an intruder, he doesn't have a job, and since being banned from his house he needs to find a place to live. With the help of his 12 year old friend they begin planning, and Josh finds himself growing up quicker than he imagined.


For some reason these types of movies are a lot of fun even if you think you've seen it before, but with Big you are getting one of the better ones. Ultimately, nothing too huge happens. A boy just learns to appreciate being a kid in the short time that you're given to be one. Of course there are a ton of unrealistic things that happen, but is apart of the magic of fiction, and most 80s film. As soon as Josh finds himself in New York City without hope of finding the machine that changed him for 6 weeks he then looks for a job, and gets to have fun as a guy who test out toys (perfect for a 12 year old in a 30 year old body needing money), and he even catches the attention of a lady coworker, though I think most people would notice something is really off about Josh, but apart of his charm is the fact she can be herself around him.

Tom Hanks is really what makes this movie a classic. There are times he seems to falter in the mannerisms a bit of a 12 year old, like when he rides in the limo, but for the most part he captured the essence of being twelve, and that can be difficult to do. He also balances what it is like to slowly be morphing in an adult since he has to grow up quicker, and when he realizes he is slipping further from his 12 year old self it doesn't seem worth giving up despite his success. His friend Billy makes a nice companion to navigate getting back there with.

There is also the fact that Susan takes a romantic interest in Josh, despite the fact he is a 12 year old in a man's body. While it isn't something you should read too much into, it still feels weird at times to watch. There is one character that just feels useless and that is the guy at work who feels Josh is a rival, Paul. It was sort of a huge build, and then just felt it went nowhere. To be honest, it felt like a few things went nowhere. Josh forms all these bonds, and ties to adults while in the world, yet he walks away from it, and his big lesson was that he doesn't want to be an adult right now. It feels like Marshall could have driven the point a tad deeper.

Big is a light, and typically good 80s film with great acting from it's lead. It gets lost in whether it's a family film, or a movie for a adults though. In a lot of ways it just isn't appropriate for younger audiences, but also misses the vibe of many teen movies too, and yet adults might feel it is a family movie just by the vibe of it. Ultimately, though it's sweet, and just a well done coming of age story.

Rating 8 of 10.