Review of Big (1988) by Filmclub — 27 Mar 2016

A 13-year-old junior high kid Josh (David Moscow) is transformed into a 35-year-old’s body (Tom Hanks) by a carnival wishing machine in this pic which unspools with Enjoyable genuineness and ingenuity.

Immediate dilemma, since going back to school is not an option and his mom thinks he’s an intruder and doesn’t buy into the explanation that he’s changed into a man, is to escape to anonymous New York City and hide out in a seedy hotel.

Pretty soon, the viewer forgets that what’s happening on screen has no basis in reality. The characters are having too much fun enjoying life away from responsibility, which begs the question why adults get so serious when there is fun to be had in almost any situation.

Hanks plays chopsticks on a walking piano at F.A.O. Schwarz with a man who turns out to be his boss (Robert Loggia) and as a result of this freespirited behavior is promoted way beyond his expectations, but it’s what he does with all his newfound self-worth that propels this ‘dramedy’.

Greatest growth comes from his involvement with coworker Elizabeth Perkins, though by no means is he the only one getting an education.