Big (1988)

One of the most beloved and defining films of the 1980s

Overview

Big is a warm, funny, and quietly profound coming-of-age fantasy that flips the genre on its head. Rather than telling the familiar tale of a child striving to grow up, Big explores what happens when that wish is suddenly and magically fulfilled. It captures the essence of childhood with uncanny precision and marries it with the adult world's absurdities, creating a charming and emotional blend of humour, innocence, and social satire.

Under Penny Marshall’s sensitive direction and driven by Tom Hanks’ extraordinary performance, Big transcends its high-concept premise to become one of the most enduring and emotionally honest films of the 1980s.

Plot Summary

The story follows 12-year-old Josh Baskin (played by David Moscow as a child, and by Tom Hanks after transformation), a boy who wishes to be "big" after being humiliated for being too short to ride a carnival ride and ignored by his crush. He makes the wish on a mysterious fortune-telling machine called Zoltar, only to wake up the next morning in the body of a 30-year-old man.

Panic ensues, and Josh flees his suburban home, eventually winding up in New York City. With the help of his best friend Billy (Jared Rushton), he lands a job at a toy company—thanks to his childlike enthusiasm and insight—and quickly rises through the ranks. Along the way, he navigates adult friendships, workplace politics, and even a romantic relationship with Susan (Elizabeth Perkins), who becomes intrigued by Josh’s refreshing honesty and playfulness.

But as he becomes more enmeshed in the adult world, Josh starts to lose touch with his childhood self—and must ultimately decide whether to stay in this “big” life or return to being a kid.

Performance Highlights

Tom Hanks (Josh Baskin): This is the performance that turned Tom Hanks into a superstar. He doesn’t play an adult acting like a kid—he becomes a 12-year-old boy, physically and emotionally. His wide-eyed wonder, awkward body language, and innocent reactions are note-perfect, and never exaggerated for cheap laughs. The performance earned Hanks his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and is still one of his most memorable roles.

Elizabeth Perkins (Susan): Perkins walks a tricky tightrope with grace and nuance. Her character, a jaded executive who rediscovers joy through Josh, could have easily come off as absurd or inappropriate. Instead, Perkins brings emotional depth and vulnerability, helping to ground the fantasy in relatable emotion.

Robert Loggia (MacMillan): Loggia brings warmth and gravitas to his role as the company’s CEO, and his famous piano duet with Hanks at FAO Schwarz—playing “Chopsticks” and “Heart and Soul”—is one of cinema’s most iconic and joyful scenes. Their chemistry is effortless and gives the film much of its heart.

Jared Rushton (Billy): As Josh's best friend, Rushton provides essential grounding. His fierce loyalty and youthful sarcasm balance out the film’s sentimentality and remind the audience of Josh's true age and innocence.

Direction and Screenplay

Penny Marshall’s direction is understated but masterful. She never allows the magical premise to overshadow the emotional stakes. Instead of going for slapstick or over-the-top comedy, she chooses realism and subtlety, making the transformation feel believable and lived-in. This approach helps the film earn its emotions honestly rather than through gimmicks.

The screenplay by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg (sister of Steven Spielberg) is structurally tight, emotionally sincere, and laced with small, poignant observations about the pressures of adulthood and the loss of innocence. It’s filled with quiet moments that pack as much power as the big set-pieces.

Themes and Analysis

The Loss of Innocence: Big is a meditation on how adulthood often strips away the joy, honesty, and wonder of childhood. Josh’s journey shows how quickly the magic of youth can be replaced by routine, stress, and conformity.

Growing Up vs. Growing Older: One of the film’s central insights is the difference between physical age and emotional maturity. Josh appears “big” on the outside, but his worldview, joy, and moral clarity challenge the cynical assumptions of adult society.

Identity and Authenticity: In the corporate world, Josh’s success stems from his authenticity. He’s not calculating or strategic; he’s honest, curious, and speaks from the heart—qualities that are often missing in adulthood but valued in childhood.

Romance and Ambiguity: The romantic subplot with Susan has long been a source of debate. While the relationship is handled with sensitivity, it’s impossible to ignore the awkwardness of a 12-year-old boy in an adult body falling into a romantic situation. The film softens this by never going too far and by focusing more on emotional connection than physical intimacy.

Visual and Technical Elements

The production design enhances the contrast between childhood and adulthood—from the colourless corporate offices to Josh’s joyful apartment filled with toys, arcade machines, bunk beds, and a trampoline. Marshall uses visual cues to reinforce themes: the elevator buttons that excite Josh, the cramped cubicles that confine him, and the giant piano that becomes a metaphor for joy and self-expression.

Howard Shore’s score is gentle and emotive, subtly reinforcing the film’s whimsical yet heartfelt tone without being overly sentimental.

Reception and Legacy

Big was both a critical and box office success, grossing over $150 million worldwide. It was nominated for two Academy Awards—Best Actor (Tom Hanks) and Best Original Screenplay. Over the years, it has remained one of the most beloved films of its era and is frequently cited as a classic of 1980s American cinema.

More than 35 years later, Big still resonates. It speaks to viewers of all ages—kids who dream of growing up fast, and adults who wish they could reclaim their childhood wonder. It’s a film about joy, nostalgia, and the bittersweet reality of growing up.

Final Thoughts

Big is a rare film that balances comedy, fantasy, and emotional depth with remarkable finesse. Tom Hanks delivers one of the most authentic portrayals of childlike wonder ever captured on screen, and Penny Marshall's direction ensures the story stays grounded in truth. It’s a film that makes you laugh, think, and maybe even reflect on the parts of yourself that got left behind on the way to adulthood.

It reminds us that sometimes, the best parts of growing up… are the parts we never wanted to lose.

Verdict

A timeless, heartfelt, and magical exploration of childhood, maturity, and the joy of being yourself—no matter your age.