Tom Hanks has
been delivering magnificent performances for decades, and in the late '80s, he
gave us another standout performance in Big, earning a Best Actor nomination
for it. The movie has a plot that might sound silly at first, but the
screenplay and acting elevate it from what could have been a simple, whimsical
story to a true masterpiece. Credit for that goes to the late Penny Marshall,
the director who made it happen.
Marshall was in
full control of this film, and it’s not the only amazing work she delivered.
She also directed another beloved Tom Hanks movie, A League of Their Own, in
1992.
The story of Big
follows a twelve-year-old boy named Josh, who lives with his family. Josh faces
challenges navigating the world because his height often gets in the way of
doing the things he wants. His best friend, Billy, is also his next-door
neighbor and closest confidant.
After a
particularly embarrassing moment leaves him feeling small, Josh makes a wish on
a fortune teller machine at a carnival. He wishes to be “big,” never expecting
it to actually come true. But the next morning, Josh wakes up in his own
bed—only now, he’s an adult (played by Tom Hanks).
Faced with this
new reality, Josh runs away from home and must navigate the world as an adult
while trying to find a way to reverse the wish and return to his normal life.
What struck me
while rewatching the movie as an adult is how relatable Josh’s actions are. The
things he does as a kid stuck in an adult’s body are exactly what I’d imagine
doing in the same situation. It also reminded me of my early days as a
bachelor, exploring newfound freedoms and the boundaries of adulthood.
The film’s charm
lies in seeing Josh—a twelve-year-old at heart—navigate adult responsibilities,
including workplace dynamics (he hilariously fails at office politics),
romantic entanglements, and his relationship with his best friend, Billy.
Big was both a
critical and commercial success, earning over $150 million on an $18 million
budget. Beyond the Academy Award nominations for Hanks and Best Original
Screenplay, it received numerous other accolades and is frequently ranked among
the greatest comedies ever made. I wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment.
Big is one of
those films you can enjoy every time you watch it, laughing as this fantasy
comedy takes you on an unforgettable ride.
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