Big (1988)

Director: Penny Marshall 
Story: Anne Spielberg, Gary Ross
Cast: Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Jared Rushton
Music: Howard Shore
Time: 104 minutes
Bottom-line: A heart-warming film, with Hanks giving a magnificent performance

Having seen Tom Hanks’ latest film, Captain Phillips, I decided to watch one of his early films, Big. Well, in short, I think Tom Hanks has never, and can never disappoint in his acting, ever! The film that earned him his first Oscar nomination is also one of his best ones. In fact, excluding the Toy Story series, this film is also his second or third highest rated films in Rotten Tomatoes. The film stars Elizabeth Perkins and Jared Rushton in the supporting roles. The story, in one line, is this: what happens if a 13-year-old kid becomes an adult overnight?

Tom Hanks as the adult Josh

13-year-old Josh Baskin (David Moscow) goes to a carnival. But because of his height and age, he is not able to impress an older girl. He sees an antique wishing machine, called Zoltar Speaks. He wishes that he become big, and he receives a slip of paper, saying that his wish is granted. Nothing happens though. Next morning, Josh wakes up to find out that he is now a 30-year-old man (Hanks). Shocked, he tries to reverse his wish, but finds that the entire carnival has moved on. Fleeing from his mother and friends, he finds that only his friend Billy (Rushton) is helpful. What Josh does as an adult, and whether or not he is able to become a child again form the rest of the film.

David Moscow as the 13-year-old Josh

Films like The Shawshank Redemption were able to deliver a message (hope, in this case) using normal, realistic situations. But when directors/writers want to give a message, but cannot do so with existing conditions, they often introduce magic or fantasy into their stories (as in Groundhog Day or It’s a Wonderful Life). Big uses the latter scenario. The story is often funny, and is entertaining all the way. The main source of comedy comes from the fact that everyone thinks that Josh is actually an adult, who, at times, behaves and acts like a child, for no reason. But along with the fun, the story also tells us the gift of childhood. Sure, we may be ignored and we may be bullied in our childhood, but that does not mean we should skip this precious part of our lives. Growing up is something which is often painful, for we face loads of difficulties. But it is also something that is essential to lead a good life. The experiences learnt during this time are invaluable.

Jared Rushton as Billy

But the story shown in the film is quite funny, even it is slow at times. The scenes where his colleague, Susan (Perkins) tries to make advances, but he just ignores them (because he can’t understand what she is doing!) is hilarious. The scene where Josh and his boss make music on the piano keys is also quite famous. (Spoiler alert) The ending, where Josh and Susan say a tearful goodbye to each other is moving. It may not make you cry, but a strange feeling grips you. It is as if you are going to miss someone for a long time (or at least, that’s how I felt).

Elizabeth Perkins as Susan

The acting is the best part. This is the film that made the world see the genius in Tom Hanks. The film earned him his first Oscar nomination, and from here, it is has been a glorious career. The way Hanks portrays the innocence of child, and the way he expresses happiness and other emotions are brilliant. In the scene where he tries to escape from his mother, who thinks that he is a kidnapper, he acts in such a way that you feel sorry for him. Perkins has acted well too, and Jared Rushton has done superbly for a child actor.

Josh standing in front of the Zoltar machine

To sum up, Penny Marshall’s Big is a film that shows us why Tom Hanks is great. The story is not that good, nor are the dialogues, but it is a fun-filled film, with the message asking all the children to enjoy and make most of their childhood, when they can. Hanks, Rushton and Perkins are excellent in their roles. Watch the film for the fun it gives. If you are a Tom Hanks fan, you will only love him more. If you are not, you will be after watching Big.

My Rating: 4/5
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 97%