Big

Rating: 4/5

In one of Tom Hanks' best performances, Big is a lovable classic from wonderful decade of film.

Thirteen year old Josh Baskin is fairly content with his life, but when he attempts to impress a girl by going on a frightening ride at the carnival, that all changes. As he is about to get on the ride, he is told that he is too small, and is humiliated in front of the girl he likes. Wandering away from the ride, Josh stumbles upon a mysterious Zoltar machine and makes a wish to be big.

The next morning, Josh (Tom Hanks) is shocked to discover that his wish came true and he is now an adult man. After being chased out his home by his mother, Josh has no choice but to find his friend Billy (Jared Rushton) and head to the city in search of another Zoltar machine to reverse the magic.

The movie Big is one, where if you think about it too much, it could lose a bit of its' charm, and move towards a more slightly unsettling feeling. The majority of the film doesn't fall into this conundrum, just the love story between semi-adult Josh and Elizabeth Perkins' character, Susan. Yes, Josh looks like an adult, and by the time he and Susan's relationship reaches the point of romance, his mindset is more grown up, but he is still thinking for the most part as a thirteen year old, and that's just a bit too creepy to put too much thought into. That being said, this movie came from a simpler time, where movies were not as overanalyzed as they are now, so as a product of its' time, it's more humorous than it is strange.

Tom Hanks was no stranger to the world by this time, but this movie was certainly one the most memorable from his early days of acting. Not only is Hanks incredibly believable as a thirteen year old trapped in the body of an adult, but he is also comical and heartbreaking while doing it. Yes, there are a handful of uplifting iconic moments in this film, most notably being the piano dance, but the scene where Josh is spending his first night in New York City, is one that always sticks out to me. Given that he is mentally only thirteen, Josh is incredibly frightened to be there alone, and Hanks' performance makes you really be able imagine the situation in which Josh finds himself is genuine and actually possible.

With any movie where a character goes through a major transformation, it is important not to spend too much time on the realization phase. What Big does really well, is not overdo Josh's adjustment to being an adult. Even though he is mentally a teenager throughout the entire movie, Josh doesn't spend each scene realizing something new or fascinating about being an adult. He slowly adapts to his new normal, but still keeping his childlike excitement as he encounters the many facets of adulthood. Had Big prevented for Josh go through any mental transformation, the movie itself would not be nearly as charming or well done and the concept would've exhausted itself.

Of the many films directed by Penny Marshall, Big is certainly one of her most legendary, and with good reason. It is brilliantly cast, full of nostalgia, and really just a lot of fun to watch. It's a movie that warrants multiple viewings, even if it is just for a reminder to stay in touch with your inner child.