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{{short description|1988 film directed by Penny Marshall}}
{{dablink| This article is about the movie. For other uses, see [[Big (disambiguation)]].}}
{{redirect|Josh Baskin|the lynching victim|Newberry Six lynchings}}
{{cleanup|date=February 2008}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox Film | name = Big
{{Infobox film
| image = Big_Poster.jpg
| caption = Promotional film poster for ''Big''.
| name = Big
| image = Big_Poster.jpg
| director = [[Penny Marshall]]
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| producer = [[James L. Brooks]]<br />[[Robert Greenhut]]
| director = [[Penny Marshall]]
| writer = [[Gary Ross]]<br />[[Anne Spielberg]]
| producer = {{Plain list|
| starring = [[Tom Hanks]]<br />[[Elizabeth Perkins]]<br />[[Robert Loggia]]<br />[[John Heard (actor)|John Heard]]
* [[James L. Brooks]]
| music = [[Howard Shore]]
* [[Robert Greenhut]]
| cinematography = [[Barry Sonnenfeld]]
| editing =
| distributor = [[20th Century Fox]]
| released = [[June 3]], [[1988]] ([[USA]])
| runtime = 104 min.
| language = [[English language|English]]
| budget = $18,000,000 (est.)
| rated = PG
| amg_id = 1:5343
| imdb_id = 0094737
}}
}}
| writer = {{Plain list|
'''''Big''''' is a [[1988]] comedy [[film]] about a boy who wished to be aged to adulthood by a magical fortune-telling machine. It stars [[Tom Hanks]], [[Elizabeth Perkins]], [[Robert Loggia]], [[John Heard (actor)|John Heard]], [[Jared Rushton]], [[David Moscow]], [[Jon Lovitz]] and [[Mercedes Ruehl]]. The movie was written by [[Gary Ross]], with Justin Schindler, and [[Anne Spielberg]]. [[Penny Marshall]] directed, replacing [[Steven Spielberg]] whose sister was one of the writers.
* [[Gary Ross]]
* [[Anne Spielberg]]
}}
| starring = {{Plain list|
* [[Tom Hanks]]
* [[Elizabeth Perkins]]
* [[Robert Loggia]]
* [[John Heard (actor)|John Heard]]
}}
| music = [[Howard Shore]]
| cinematography = [[Barry Sonnenfeld]]
| editing = [[Barry Malkin]]
| studio = [[Gracie Films]]
| distributor = [[20th Century Fox]]
| released = {{Film date|1988|6|3}}
| runtime = 104 minutes (theatrical)<br />130 minutes (extended edition)
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $18 million<ref name="Numbers">{{cite web |title=Big (1988) |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Big#tab=summary |website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]] |access-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref>
| gross = $151.7 million<ref name="Numbers"/>
}}
'''''Big''''' is a 1988 American [[Fantasy film|fantasy]] [[comedy-drama]] film directed by [[Penny Marshall]] and stars [[Tom Hanks]] as Josh Baskin, an adolescent boy whose wish to be "big" transforms him physically into an adult. The film also stars [[Elizabeth Perkins]], [[David Moscow]], [[John Heard (actor)|John Heard]], and [[Robert Loggia]], and was written by [[Gary Ross]] and [[Anne Spielberg]]. It was produced by [[Gracie Films]] and distributed by [[20th Century Fox]].


Upon release, ''Big'' was met with wide critical acclaim, particularly for Hanks' performance. It was a huge commercial success as well, grossing $151 million worldwide against a production budget of $18 million, and it proved to be pivotal to Hanks' career, establishing him as a major box-office draw as well as a critical favorite.<ref name="Tom Hanks biography">{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/tom-hanks-9327661#big-break |title=Tom Hanks Biography |website=[[Biography.com]] ([[FYI (TV channel)|FYI]] / [[A&E Networks]]) |access-date=August 6, 2014}}</ref> The film received [[Academy Award]] nominations for [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] (Hanks) and [[Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Original Screenplay]].
==Plot==
== Plot ==
{{anchor|zoltar}}
<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, the plot summary should be 400-700 words. -->
Thirteen-year-old<!-- 13 at the beginning, 45 by the end; DO NOT CHANGE. At the beginning of the film, the milk carton says the date missing is 9/12/1987 and the date of birth is 1/20/75. Later in the film, Josh tells Susan he is 13, and Josh's mother says "He had a birthday." Josh begins the film at age 12, then towards the end of the film is 13--> Josh Baskin tries to impress a girl by going on a [[Fire Ball|carnival ride]] but is refused as he is too short. Dejected, he inserts a coin into an antique [[Fortune teller machine|fortune-teller machine]] called Zoltar, and makes a wish to be "big." It dispenses a card stating "Your wish is granted," but Josh discovers the machine has been unplugged the entire time.


The next morning, Josh discovers that the Zoltar machine can actually make wishes come true, as he has grown physically into an adult. He tries to locate the machine, but finds that the carnival has moved on (the mysticism behind the machine is never revealed). Returning home, he desperately tries to explain his predicament to his mother, who panics and chases him from the house thinking he is a stranger who has kidnapped her son. He then finds his best friend Billy at his school and convinces him of his identity by reciting a song that only they know. With Billy's help, Josh learns that it will take at least six weeks to find the Zoltar machine again, so Josh rents a room in a [[flophouse]] in [[New York City]] and gets a job as a data entry clerk at the MacMillan Toy Company.
After being [[humiliated]] while trying to impress an older teenage girl at a carnival, Josh Baskin ([[David Moscow]]) goes to a wish/fortune-telling machine (called ''Zoltar Speaks'') and wishes that he were "big". The next morning, he sees a face in the mirror he does not recognize. Overnight, he has become a 30-year-old man. ([[Tom Hanks]]).


[[File:2004-12-12 - New York (9).jpg|thumb|[[Walking Piano|The Walking Piano]], as featured in ''Big'']]
Josh, after having a cycle around town as an adult, reluctantly decides to show his mother his new look. As soon as he enters his house and tries to explain, his mother sees him and runs and screams around her own home. Josh's mom then brandishes a steak knife at Josh, unaware that what appears to be a menacing intruder is really her son. Eventually, screaming blood-curdlingly, she drives the now 30-year-old out of her house, and then finding Josh gone believes he has been kidnapped. In desperation, Josh corners his 13-year-old best friend Billy Kopecki ([[Jared Rushton]]), and convinces him of his true identity (by singing a secret song only they know). With Billy's help, Josh rents a cheap room in [[Manhattan]] and gets a lowly data-entry job at the MacMillan Toy Company.
Josh meets the company's owner, Mr. MacMillan, at [[FAO Schwarz]], and impresses him with his insight into current toys and his child-like [[enthusiasm]]. They play duets ("[[Heart and Soul (Frank Loesser and Hoagy Carmichael song)|Heart and Soul]]" and "[[Chopsticks (waltz)|Chopsticks]]") on the store's [[Walking Piano]], and MacMillan invites Josh to a massive marketing campaign pitch meeting with senior executives. Unimpressed with the toy being pitched, Josh shocks and challenges the executives with a simple declaration that the toy is not fun, and while his follow-up suggestions invigorate the team for new ideas, he earns the animosity of Paul Davenport, the pitch's leader. Meanwhile, a pleased MacMillan promotes Josh to Vice President of Product Development. He soon attracts the attention of Susan Lawrence, a fellow executive, and a romance begins to develop, much to the dismay of her former boyfriend Davenport. Josh becomes increasingly entwined in his adult life by spending time with Susan, mingling with her friends, and entering into a steady relationship with her. His ideas become valuable assets to MacMillan Toys; however, he begins to forget what it is like to be a child, and his tight schedule rarely allows him to spend time with Billy.
MacMillan asks Josh to come up with proposals for a new line of toys. He is intimidated by the need to formulate the business aspects of the proposal, but Susan says that she will handle the business end while he comes up with the ideas. Nevertheless, he feels pressured and longs for his old life. When he expresses doubts to Susan and attempts to explain that he is a child, she interprets this as fear of commitment on his part and dismisses his explanation.
Josh learns from Billy that the Zoltar machine is now at [[Playland (New York)|Sea Point Park]], and he leaves in the middle of his presentation to MacMillan and the other executives. Susan also leaves and encounters Billy, who tells her where Josh went. At the park, Josh finds the machine, unplugs it, and makes a wish to become a child again. He is then confronted by Susan for running off, but upon seeing the machine and the fortune, she realizes that he was telling the truth and becomes despondent that their relationship will end. Josh thanks her for their time together and suggests she use the machine to turn herself into a little girl. Susan declines but offers to drive Josh back to New Jersey. After sharing an emotional goodbye with Susan, Josh transforms into a child again before reuniting with his family and Billy.


==Cast==
In a memorable scene, he meets the company's owner, MacMillan ([[Robert Loggia]]), checking out the products at the [[FAO Schwarz]] toy store, and impresses him with his childlike enthusiasm. They end up playing a duet together on a giant foot-operated electronic keyboard, performing ''[[Chopsticks (music)|Chopsticks]]'' and ''[[Heart and Soul (song)|Heart and Soul]]''. This earns Josh a promotion to a dream job for a kid: testing toys all day long and getting paid for it. With his insight into what sells to children, he quickly rises up the corporate ranks.
* [[Tom Hanks]] as Joshua "Josh" Baskin
** [[David Moscow]] as Young Josh Baskin
* [[Elizabeth Perkins]] as Susan Lawrence
* [[Robert Loggia]] as Mr. MacMillan
* [[John Heard (actor)|John Heard]] as Paul Davenport
* [[Jared Rushton]] as Billy Francis Kopecki
* [[Jon Lovitz]] as Scotty Brennen
* [[Mercedes Ruehl]] as Mrs. Baskin
* [[Harvey Miller (screenwriter)|Harvey Miller]] as Personnel Director
* [[Debra Jo Rupp]] as Miss Patterson
* [[Josh Clark]] as Mr. Baskin
* [[Paul Herman]] as Schizo
* [[Peter McRobbie]] as Executive #3


== Production ==
He soon attracts the attention of the beautiful, ambitious Susan Lawrence ([[Elizabeth Perkins]]), a fellow toy executive, and a romance begins to develop, much to the annoyance of her current boyfriend, Paul ([[John Heard]]). In time, Josh sees his friendship with Billy start to fade as his relationship with Susan begins to grow, and he is faced with a choice: return to his old life with his family and friends, or remain an adult with Susan. Ultimately, he decides to return to his normal life and seeks out the Zoltar machine, wishing himself back to childhood. Susan catches up to Josh right after he makes his wish. He tries to convince her to join him, but she isn't willing to relive her adolescence again. Susan drives Josh home and they part, with a hint that they may meet later, when he has grown up.
The [[Italy|Italian]] film ''[[Da grande (film)|Da grande]]'' (1987) has been said to be the inspiration for ''Big''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cinemaitalianoinhawaii.org/judges2.php |title=Cinema Italiano 2010: Master of Ceremonies and Jurors |website=Cinema Italiano in Hawaii |access-date=September 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227105818/http://www.cinemaitalianoinhawaii.org/judges2.php |archive-date=December 27, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Alice, Sí Está: Directoras de Cine Europeas y Norteamericanas 1896-1996 |last=Irazábal Martín |first=Concha |location=Madrid |publisher=Horas y Horas |language=es |year=1996 |isbn=9788487715594 |volume=23 of ''Cuadernos inacabados''}}</ref> Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg developed the story in one hour; days after the script was completed they sold it to James L. Brooks and 20th Century Fox.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/58497 | title=AFI&#124;Catalog }}</ref>


Anne's brother [[Steven Spielberg]] was attached to direct the film and wanted to cast [[Harrison Ford]] as Josh but Spielberg dropped out due to scheduling conflicts with ''[[Empire of the Sun (film)|Empire of the Sun]]'' (1987).<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://nypost.com/2013/12/07/how-tom-hanks-got-big-25-years-ago/ |title=How Tom Hanks got 'Big' 25 years ago |first=Larry |last=Getlen |date=8 December 2013 |newspaper=[[New York Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/06/movies/tom-hanks-from-leading-man-to-movie-star.html|title = Tom Hanks: From Leading Man to Movie Star|newspaper = The New York Times|date = July 6, 1988|last1 = Harmetz|first1 = Aljean}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wmagazine.com/story/penny-marshall-legacy-films/ | title=Penny Marshall Didn't Mean to Make History, She Just Did | date=December 18, 2018 }}</ref> Ford also pursued other projects instead.<ref name="washingtonpost.com">https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/1988/06/26/penny-marshall-edgy-ambitious-and-very-big/9ca4aea0-f2d2-4756-8660-cab181b10e7a/</ref> Spielberg would later say that his decision to not direct the film was not to take any credit away from his sister.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flavourmag.co.uk/interview-tom-hanks-and-steven-spielberg-discuss-bridge-of-spies/|title=Interview: Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg Discuss Bridge of Spies and Exclusive Clip|date=March 28, 2016}}</ref> [[Kevin Costner]], [[Steve Guttenberg]], [[Warren Beatty]], [[Dennis Quaid]] and [[Matthew Modine]] were all offered the role of Josh, all of whom turned it down.<ref name=book>{{Cite web |url=http://movieline.com/2012/09/18/robert-de-niro-tom-hanks-big-penny-marshall-my-mother-was-nuts/ |title=My Mother Was Nuts Book Excerpt: How Robert de Niro, Not Tom Hanks, Almost Starred in Penny Marshall's Big |date=18 September 2012 |work=Movieline |first=Jen |last=Yamato |access-date=August 16, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/steve-guttenberg-55th-birthday-15-2212242 |title=Steve Guttenberg turns 55: 15 reasons why the Police Academy star is a cinematic treasure |first=Chris |last=Wilson |date=August 24, 2013 |newspaper=[[Daily Mirror]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/matthew-modine-interview-wrong-turn-stranger-things-b1804216.html | title=Matthew Modine interview: 'America has never dealt honestly with what its history is' | website=[[Independent.co.uk]] | date=February 22, 2021 }}</ref> [[Albert Brooks]] was also offered the role but turned it down as he did not want to play a kid.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1SqXAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA33 |title=Casting Might-Have-Beens: A Film by Film Directory of Actors Considered for Roles Given to Others |isbn=978-1-47660-976-8 |last1=Mell |first1=Eila |date=2005 |location=Jefferson, NC |publisher=McFarland}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/2011/06/the-lost-roles-of-albert-brooks.html |title=The Lost Roles of Albert Brooks |first=Bradford |last=Evans |date=30 June 2011 |website=Vulture.com}}</ref> [[Jeff Bridges]] was also considered for the role.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/58497 |title=Big (1988) |website=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]]}}</ref> [[John Travolta]] wanted to play Josh, but the studio wasn't interested in casting him.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/64578/15-huge-facts-about-big |title=15 Huge Facts About Big |first=Roger |last=Cormier |date=3 June 2015 |website=[[Mental Floss]]}}</ref> [[Sean Penn]] was considered for the role of Josh, but Marshall deemed him too young. [[Gary Busey]] auditioned for the role of Josh, but Marshall did not think he could pull off playing an adult.<ref name=book/> [[Andy García]] read for Josh, but one of the studio executives did not want to spend $18 million for "a kid to grow to be Puerto Rican" (García is actually Cuban).<ref name=book/> [[Debra Winger]] tried to convince Marshall to rewrite Josh into a woman.<ref>{{cite news |last=Longsdorf |first=Amy |url=https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1988-06-05-2627398-story.html |title=She Knows Give and Take of Direction |work=[[The Morning Call|Morning Call]] |date=June 5, 1988}}</ref><ref name="washingtonpost.com"/> Marshall also auditioned other comic male actors for the role, but she found their performances "too broad".<ref name="washingtonpost.com"/> [[Robert De Niro]] was cast in the lead role with [[Elizabeth Perkins]]. He later dropped out due to "scheduling conflicts" and was replaced by [[Tom Hanks]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/robert-de-niro-originally-cast-in-big-instead-tom-hanks-elizabeth-perkins-says-1234730888/ |title=Robert De Niro Was Originally Cast In 'Big' Instead Of Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins Claims |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |first=Bruce |last=Haring |date=April 8, 2021 |access-date=August 16, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/robert-de-niro-dropped-out-of-big-tom-hanks-1234964467/ |title=Robert De Niro Explains Why He Dropped Out of the Lead in 'Big' |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |first=Ryan |last=Parker |date=June 8, 2021 |access-date=August 16, 2021}}</ref> Hanks and Loggia made two cardboard pianos and practiced them at home;<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theringer.com/movies/2018/6/4/17423236/big-piano-tom-hanks-30th-anniversary | title=The Heart and Soul of the 'Big' Piano | date=June 4, 2018 }}</ref> the studio hired doubles in case Hanks and Loggia did not get it right.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.avclub.com/robert-loggia-1798227323 | title=Robert Loggia | website=[[The A.V. Club]] | date=September 8, 2011 }}</ref> Prior to filming, Hanks spent time with Jared Rushton and David Moscow and attempted to emulate Moscow's body language and acting style in order to make a convincing performance of being the adult version of the child actor.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/12/28/david-moscow-big-tom-hanks/4231545/ | title='Big' at 25: David Moscow grows up | website=[[USA Today]] }}</ref>
It is widely rumored<ref>[http://www.ultimatedisney.com/big.html Big: Extended Edition DVD Review<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> that a different ending was used in test screenings, in which Josh is in class, and a "new girl in school" is brought into the classroom. Her resemblance to Susan and a shot of Josh's reaction imply that this is Susan, having also become young by using the Zoltar machine. There is no mention or evidence of this ending on the Extended Edition DVD released in 2007.


At the time of the film's release, ''Big'' (1988) was part of a series of [[twin films]] featuring an age-changing plot produced during the late 1980s, including ''[[Like Father Like Son (1987 film)|Like Father Like Son]]'' (1987), ''[[18 Again!]]'' (1988), ''[[Vice Versa (1988 film)|Vice Versa]]'' (1988) and ''[[14 Going on 30]]'' (1988).<ref>{{cite news |first=Aljean |last=Harmetz |author-link=Aljean Harmetz |title=The Media Business; Buchwald Ruling: Film Writers vs. Star Power |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/01/15/business/the-media-business-buchwald-ruling-film-writers-vs-star-power.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=January 15, 1990 |access-date=September 23, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/64578/15-huge-facts-about-big |title=15 Huge Facts About 'Big' |first=Roger |last=Cormier |website=[[Mental Floss]] |date=3 June 2015 |access-date=2016-07-05}}</ref>
==Acclaim==
''Big'', was received with almost unanimous critical acclaim, and is considered by many critics the gold standard of movies in which a child is trapped in an adult's body. Many critics praised Tom Hanks for his "believable" and "adorable" performance.<ref>http://movies2.nytimes.com/mem/movies/review.html?title1=&title2=BIG%20%28MOVIE%29&reviewer=Janet%20Maslin&v_id=5343&partner=Rotten%20Tomatoes</ref>


== Reception ==
''Big'' was nominated for [[Academy Awards]] for [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor in a Leading Role]] (Tom Hanks) and [[Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay|Best Writing, Original Screenplay]].
=== Box office ===
During its opening weekend, the film opened in second place behind ''[[Crocodile Dundee II]]'', earning $8.2 million.<ref>{{cite news |last=Easton |first=Nina |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-06-07-ca-3785-story.html |title=Weekend Box Office: 'Big' Looks Like a Big Hit |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 7, 1988 |access-date=November 8, 2023}}</ref> The film ultimately grossed nearly $115 million in the United States and Canada and $36.7 million internationally, totaling $151.7 million worldwide.<ref name="Numbers" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Big (1988) |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=big.htm |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=September 1, 2009}}</ref> It was the first feature film directed by a woman to gross over $100 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://people.com/movies/penny-marshall-dies-biggest-movies-director/ |title=Penny Marshall, Who Died at 75, Broke Barriers as a Female Director: A Look at Her Biggest Hits |last=Telling |first=Gillian |date=2018-12-19 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |access-date=2022-09-12}}</ref>


=== Critical response ===
The film is number 23 on [[Bravo (television network)|Bravo's]] "100 Funniest Movies".
[[Janet Maslin]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' praised Hanks's performance, writing "Wide-eyed, excited and wonderfully guileless, [he] is an absolute delight, and the film is shrewd in relieving him of the responsibility to behave furtively and hide his altered condition."<ref>{{cite web |first=Janet |last=Maslin |author-link=Janet Maslin |title=Review/Film; Tom Hanks as a 13-Year-Old, in 'Big' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/03/movies/review-film-tom-hanks-as-a-13-year-old-in-big.html |work=The New York Times |page=C8 |date=June 3, 1988 |access-date=September 1, 2009}}</ref> [[Gene Siskel]] of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' felt "Hanks proves himself to be an adept comedian here"; however, he wrote the film "is at its best when romance blooms at a toy company where Elizabeth Perkins is an executive and Hanks has become a star vice president with his innocent approach to picking best-selling toys."<ref>{{cite news |last=Siskel |first=Gene |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-06-03-8801040523-story.html |title=Flick of the Week: Hanks Makes 'Big' Splash |work=Chicago Tribune |date=June 3, 1988 |access-date=November 8, 2023 |url-access=limited}}</ref> [[Roger Ebert]], in his ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' review, wrote: {{cquote|''Big'' is a tender, soft-hearted, and cheerful movie, well-directed by Penny Marshall and with a script by Anne Spielberg and Gary Ross that has a lot of fun with simple verbal misunderstandings ...Hanks, who had a tendency to push too hard, I thought, in ''[[Nothing in Common]]'', this time finds a vulnerability and sweetness for his character that's quite appealing.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ebert |first=Roger |url=https://archive.org/details/rogerebertsmovie00eber/ |title=Roger Ebert's Movie Home Companion |edition=1990 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/rogerebertsmovie00eber/page/64/mode/2up 64–65] |year=1989 |publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing|Andrews and McMeel]] |isbn=978-0-517-05978-4 |url-access=registration}}</ref>}}


Jay Boyar of the ''[[Orlando Sentinel]]'' highlighted Hanks for his "invincible amiability" and further wrote "Elizabeth Perkins gives a smart, sexy performance as Susan, and Robert Loggia has a crusty whimsicality as Josh's boss." Altogether, he wrote "''Big'' isn't a heavy-message movie, but there are a couple of ideas behind it, ideas that help focus the action. Marshall and the screenwriters want us to know that we should stay in touch with the child inside us."<ref>{{cite news |last=Boyar |first=Jay |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1988/06/03/hanks-reverts-to-childs-play-in-big-success/ |title=Hanks Reverts To Child's Play In 'Big' Success |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=June 3, 1988 |access-date=November 8, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Duane Byrge, reviewing for ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', wrote: "Keeping it spry and winningly light, director Penny Marshall doesn't hammer any themes or satire into the film; she, quite shrewdly, keeps ''Big'' likeably small. The comedy is natural and unforced, in no small part because of Hanks' wonderfully slapstick performance."<ref>{{cite news |last=Byrge |first=Duane |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/big-review-1988-movie-899374/ |title='Big': THR's 1988 Review |work=The Hollywood Reporter |orig-date=June 3, 1988 |date=June 3, 2016 |access-date=November 8, 2023}}</ref> [[Kevin Thomas (film critic)|Kevin Thomas]] of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' felt the film "manages to be funny, warm, sophisticated and above all, imaginative, from start to finish ... It is also a personal triumph for Tom Hanks; ''Nothing in Common'' and now ''Big'' confirm his position as the screen's premier young light comedian. Hanks recalls the amiable charm of the young [[James Stewart|Jimmy Stewart]] and [[Jack Lemmon]], yet his bemused personality is as contemporary as the yuppies he plays so well."<ref>{{cite news |last=Thomas |first=Kevin |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-06-03-ca-4758-story.html |title=Movie Review: 'Big' at Head of the Body-Exchange Class |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 3, 1988 |access-date=November 8, 2023 |url-access=limited}}</ref> [[John Simon (critic)|John Simon]] of the ''[[National Review]]'' described ''Big'' as "an accomplished, endearing, and by no means mindless fantasy".<ref>{{cite book |last=Simon |first=John |title=John Simon on Film: Criticism 1982–2001 |url=https://archive.org/details/johnsimononfilmc0000simo |publisher=Applause Books |year=2005 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/johnsimononfilmc0000simo/page/174/mode/2up 174–175] |isbn=978-1-557-83507-9 |url-access=registration}}</ref>
Is one of the few PG-rated movies to use the word "[[fuck]]" in its uncut version; furthermore the word is used by one of the young actors, Rushton, rather than an adult.


On the [[review aggregator]] [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film scored a 98% rating based on 80 reviews, with an average rating of 7.90/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Refreshingly sweet and undeniably funny, ''Big'' is a showcase for Tom Hanks, who dives into his role and infuses it with charm and surprising poignancy."<ref>{{cite web |title=Big (1988) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/big/ |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=February 8, 2023}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a weighted average score of 73 out of 100, based on 20 critics.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/big |title=Big 1988 |website=Metacritic}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cinemascore.com |title=Find CinemaScore |format=Type "Big" in the search box |website=[[CinemaScore]] |access-date=January 9, 2019}}</ref>
==Broadway musical==
{{main|Big, The Musical}}
In [[1996]], ''Big'' was made into a musical for the [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] stage. It featured music by [[David Shire]], lyrics by [[Richard Maltby, Jr.]], and a book by [[John Weidman]]. Directed by [[Mike Ockrent]], and choreographed by [[Susan Stroman]], it opened on [[April 28]], [[1996]].


==DVD==
=== Accolades ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
''Big'' has been available on DVD since 1999.
|-
! scope="col"| Award
! scope="col"| Category
! scope="col"| Recipient(s)
! scope="col"| Result
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Academy Awards]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/378071791/ |title=The 61st Annual Oscar Awards |date=March 26, 1989 |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |access-date=March 30, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
| [[Academy Award for Best Actor]]
| [[Tom Hanks]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay]]
| [[Gary Ross]] and [[Anne Spielberg]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[Golden Globe Awards]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/589310252/ |title=Hollywood Foreign Press Lists Globe Nominations |date=January 6, 1989 |newspaper=[[Tyler Courier-Times]] |access-date=March 30, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/144189621/ |title=Here are movie, TV award winners: "Actor - musical or comedy" Tom Hanks, ''Big'' |date=January 30, 1989 |newspaper=[[Asbury Park Press]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=March 30, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy]]
| {{N/A}}
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy]]
| [[Tom Hanks]]
| {{won}}
|-
|}


The film is number 23 on [[Bravo (US TV channel)|Bravo]]'s ''100 Funniest Movies.'' In 2000, it was ranked 42nd on the [[American Film Institute]]'s "[[AFI's 100 Years…100 Laughs|100 Years…100 Laughs]]" list.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://connect.afi.com/site/DocServer/laughs100.pdf?docID=252 |title=AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs |website=[[American Film Institute]] |year=2000 |access-date=September 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707092451/http://connect.afi.com/site/DocServer/laughs100.pdf?docID=252 |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In June 2008, AFI named it the [[AFI's 10 Top 10|tenth-best film]] in the fantasy genre.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.afi.com/10top10/fantasy.html |title=10 Top 10: Top 10 Fantasy |website=[[American Film Institute]] |year=2008 |access-date=September 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210013809/http://www.afi.com/10TOP10/fantasy.html |archive-date=February 10, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2008, it was selected by ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' as one of "The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/500/60.asp |title=Empire's 500 Greatest Movies Of All Time |website=EmpireOnline.com |date=2006-12-05 |access-date=2012-06-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710191750/https://www.empireonline.com/500/60.asp |archive-date=July 10, 2011}}</ref>
A two-disc extended edition, named either the "Extended Edition" or "Family Fun Edition", was released on [[May 8]] 2007 in Regions 1 and 4; this DVD adds 25 minutes of extra footage to the original cut, making the film 130 minutes, as well as providing the original version on the first disc and additional features on the second disc. On [[October 22]], [[2007]], the DVD was released in Region 2.


The film is recognized by [[American Film Institute]] in these lists:
==Filming locations==
* 2000: [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs]] – #42<ref>{{cite web |title=AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs |url=http://www.afi.com/Docs/100Years/laughs100.pdf |website=[[American Film Institute]] |access-date=2016-08-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326082321/http://www.afi.com/Docs/100Years/laughs100.pdf |archive-date=March 26, 2017}}</ref>
The Carnival at the beginning of the movie was one of the largest traveling carnivals in the US, Reithoffer Shows Inc. They set up the carnival specifically for the movie. Besides having the company named in the special thanks section of the credits, you can read the company name on the Super Loop operators shirt.
* 2008: [[AFI's 10 Top 10]]: #10 Fantasy Film<ref>{{cite web |title=AFI's 10 Top 10: Top 10 Fantasy |url=http://www.afi.com/10top10/category.aspx?cat=6 |website=American Film Institute |access-date=2016-08-06}}</ref>
The movie takes place partially at [[Playland (New York)|Playland]] [[amusement park]] in [[Rye, New York]]. Young Josh lives in [[Cliffside Park, New Jersey]].


== Adaptations ==
The house that was used as the Baskin residence is located at 437 Greenmount Road in Cliffside Park, New Jersey. It can be viewed by clicking on this link: http://www.zillow.com/aerial/DualMapPage.htm?zpid=37859824.
=== Film remakes ===
{{main|New (film)|Naani|Aao Wish Karein}}
In 2004, [[India]]n remakes titled ''[[New (film)|New]]'' in Tamil-language starring [[S.J. Suryah]] and ''[[Naani]]'' starring [[Mahesh Babu]] in Telugu-language were released.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/2004retrospect-inspirations.html|title=A Year of Inspirations|work=Idlebrain|date=29 December 2004}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sify.com/movies/naani-review-telugu-pclv3chjcidih.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830123249/https://www.sify.com/movies/naani-review-telugu-pclv3chjcidih.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 30, 2020|title=Naani|date=17 May 2004|work=Sify}}</ref> Also, an Indian Hindi-language remake titled ''[[Aao Wish Karein]]'' starring [[Aftab Shivdasani]] was released in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sify.com/movies/review-i-aao-wish-karein-i-anything-but-a-fairy-tale-review--pclxuCbcjfied.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217102106/https://www.sify.com/movies/review-i-aao-wish-karein-i-anything-but-a-fairy-tale-review--pclxuCbcjfied.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 17, 2019|title = Review: AAO Wish Karein anything but a fairy tale|work=Sify|date=13 November 2009}}</ref>


=== Broadway musical ===
The MacMillan Toy Company office outside and lobby shots where the movie was filmed was also the New York Toy Fair showroom for Hasbro Toys which closed in 2004
{{main|Big (musical)}}
In 1996, the film was adapted into a [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] musical. It featured music by [[David Shire]], lyrics by [[Richard Maltby Jr.]], and a book by [[John Weidman]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Winer |first=Lauren |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-04-29-ca-64039-story.html |title='Big' Has Growing Pains on Broadway |work=Los Angeles Times |date=April 29, 1996 |access-date=November 8, 2019}}</ref> Directed by [[Mike Ockrent]], and choreographed by [[Susan Stroman]], it opened on April 28, 1996, and closed on October 13, 1996, after 193 performances.


=== Television show ===
Many parts of the movie were filmed on Ossining, NYs Main Street and South Highland Avenue.
The first attempt at adapting the film as a television series came in 1990, with a sitcom pilot produced for [[CBS]] that starred Bruce Norris as Josh, [[Alison La Placa]] as Susan, and [[Darren McGavin]] as Mr. MacMillan; it was not picked up as a series.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}


On September 30, 2014, [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] announced that a television remake, loosely based on the film, was planned. Written and executive produced by [[Kevin Biegel]] and [[Mike Royce]], it dealt with what it means to be an adult and kid in present times.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title='Big' Series In Works At Fox With 'Enlisted's Kevin Biegel & Mike Royce |url=https://deadline.com/2014/09/big-series-fox-843648/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=30 September 2014 |access-date=3 December 2015}}</ref>
==Cultural references==
*The keyboard scene was parodied in an [[Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy|episode]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]'', where Homer plays an off-key rendition of "Rock Around The Clock" and a near-perfect rendition of the Simpsons main theme at the toy store.


== In popular culture ==
*In an episode of the ''[[Family Guy]]'' entitled "[[The Story on Page One]]" Stewie is angry about being so small and stumbles upon a Zoltar Speaks machine from the movie. When Stewie says "I wish I was ''BIG''" Zoltar responds with a card that reads "I wish I could weigh people."
[[File:Zoltan Fortune Teller.jpg|thumb|A ''Zoltan'' fortune-teller at Gameroom Show]]
The fictional ''Zoltar Speaks'' fortune-telling machine portrayed in the film was modeled after the real-life 1960s machine ''Zoltan'',<ref>{{cite book |last=Kurtz |first=Bill |date=1994 |title=Arcade Treasures: With Price Guide |publisher=Schiffer |page=76 |isbn=0-88740-619-X}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gameroomshow.com/product/fortune-teller-machines/zoltan-fortune-teller/ |title=Zoltan Fortune Teller Machine Arcade |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=Gameroomshow.com |access-date=2020-08-04}}</ref> the name differing by one letter. In 2007, the Nevada-based [[animatronic]] company Characters Unlimited was awarded a [[trademark]] for ''Zoltar Speaks''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=76668678&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch |title=U.S. Trademark Status serial number 76668678 |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=[[USPTO]] |access-date=2020-05-27}}</ref> and began selling fortune-telling machines with that name.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.inc.com/leigh-buchanan/characters-unlimited-shows-fortune-telling-can-be-a-million-dollar-business.html |title=Fortunetelling Can Be a Million-Dollar Business. Just Ask This Company |last=Buchanan |first=Leigh |date=2017-06-12 |website=[[Inc. (magazine)|Inc.]] |access-date=2020-05-27}}</ref>


The film is referenced in the [[DC Extended Universe]] film ''[[Shazam! (film)|Shazam!]]''. In the scene in which [[Doctor Sivana]] chases [[Captain Marvel (DC Comics)|Billy Batson]] into a toy store, Billy unknowingly steps onto a Walking Piano and briefly plays it before being knocked out a window by Sivana. Additionally, both films' plots center around a child who is magically transformed into an adult.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://stylecaster.com/shazam-easter-eggs-theories/ |title=13 'Shazam!' Easter Eggs You Totally Missed in Your First Watch |first=Jason |last=Pham |date=April 11, 2019 |website=StyleCaster}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/shazam-movie-references-inspirations/amp/ |title=10 Movie References and Inspirations in Shazam! |first=Matt |last=Berger |date=April 16, 2019 |website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref>
*There is a homage to ''Big'' at the end of an episode of ''[[NewsRadio]]'' entitled "Arcade". [http://media.putfile.com/BIG-83 Video of scene on Putfile]


An Easter egg made an appearance in ''[[The Order (TV series)|The Order]]'' season 2, episode 2, entitled "Free Radicals, Part 2." In the episode, Alyssa shows Jack (Jake Manley) their vault of magical artifacts, which is described by Alyssa as "the beating heart of the Order." This place has everything from [[Excalibur]] to the [[Ark of the Covenant]]. While there, a Zoltar fortune-telling machine from ''Big'' catches Jack's eye. Alyssa explains that it's an "enchanted" Zoltar machine that makes wishes come true. After Jack says he wishes to know his major, Alyssa quickly warns him that Zoltar is a "bit of a trickster" who "grants your wishes ironically." The machine, which is among the artifacts stolen by the demon summoned by the Knights of Saint Christopher, can be spotted in multiple episodes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/order-season-2-netflix-big-easter-egg-zoltar/ |title=The Order Season 2 Has A Big Movie Easter Egg |first=Nicholas |last=Raymond |date=July 5, 2020 |website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref>
*In the popular [[Game Boy Advance]] games ''[[Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire]]'' and ''[[Pokémon Emerald]]'', there is a TV inside the house of the main character; if a player faces it, the main character will say: "There is a movie on TV. Two men are dancing on a big piano keyboard. Better get going!"


In the 2023 film ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]'', the character Mirage references the movie in the line, "''Big'' is just a movie, you'll never be a real boy!"
*The Zoltar machine was featured in a [[Microsoft]] [[Windows Live Messenger]] on-line advertising campaign.


== See also ==
*In the web comic ''[[Looking For Group]]'', a guy looking like the Zoltar Genie walks in behind a window, stroking his beard while a small Richard wishes to be big.
* ''[[13 Going on 30]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Little (film)|Little]]'' – A film with reverse theme


==See also==
== References ==
{{wiktionarypar|big}}
===Spin-offs===
*''[[Big, The Musical]]''
===Similar films===
*''[[Da grande]]'' (1987)
*''[[Like Father Like Son (1987 film)|Like Father Like Son]]'' (1987)
*''[[Vice Versa]]'' (1988)
*''[[18 Again!]]'' (1988)
*''[[Jack (film)|Jack]]'' (1996)
*''[[Seventeen Again]]'' (2000)
*''[[Freaky Friday (2003 film)|Freaky Friday]]'' (2003)
*''[[Naani]]''(Telugu)(2003)
*''[[13 Going on 30]]'' (2004)
*''[[New(Tamil)]]'' (2004)
*''[[17 Again (film)|17 Again]]'' (2008)

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
== External links ==
{{wikiquote}}
*{{imdb title|id=0094737|title=Big}}
{{Notelist}}
*{{imdb title|id=0164519|title=Da grande}}
{{Commons category|Big (film)}}
*[http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/big/ ''Big'' on Rotten Tomatoes]
* {{IMDb title|0094737}}
*[http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=27946 DVDTalk.com Review of Extended Edition DVD]
* {{TCMDb title|68599}}
*[http://movies2.nytimes.com/mem/movies/review.html?title1=&title2=BIG%20%28MOVIE%29&reviewer=Janet%20Maslin&v_id=5343&partner=Rotten%20Tomatoes The New York Times on Big]

*[http://www.gameroomshow.com/index.php?photos/album/2/photo/8.php Original Mike Munves Grandma Fortune Teller as seen in Big]
{{Penny Marshall}}
*[http://film.virtual-history.com/film.php?filmid=3547 Movie stills]
{{Penny Marshall Films}}
{{Gracie Films}}
<!-- Tom Hanks -->


[[Category:1988 films]]
[[Category:1988 films]]
[[Category:1988 romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:1988 comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:1980s American films]]
[[Category:1980s coming-of-age comedy films]]
[[Category:1980s English-language films]]
[[Category:1980s fantasy comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:20th Century Fox films]]
[[Category:20th Century Fox films]]
[[Category:Fantasy-comedy films]]
[[Category:American coming-of-age comedy films]]
[[Category:1980s romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:American fantasy comedy films]]
[[Category:American romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:Films about size change]]
[[Category:Films about wish fulfillment]]
[[Category:Films adapted into plays]]
[[Category:Films directed by Penny Marshall]]
[[Category:Films directed by Penny Marshall]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Musical or Comedy Actor Golden Globe winning performance]]
[[Category:Coming-of-age films]]
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:Films produced by James L. Brooks]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:Films produced by Robert Greenhut]]
[[Category:Films scored by Howard Shore]]

[[Category:Films set in New Jersey]]
[[de:Big (Film)]]
[[Category:Films set in New York City]]
[[es:Big]]
[[Category:Films shot in Fort Lee, New Jersey]]
[[fi:Big – isoksi yhdessä yössä]]
[[Category:Films shot in New Jersey]]
[[fr:Big (film)]]
[[Category:Films shot in New York City]]
[[it:Big]]
[[Category:Films about rapid human age change]]
[[nl:Big (film)]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Gary Ross]]
[[ja:ビッグ (映画)]]
[[Category:Gracie Films films]]
[[pt:Big]]
[[Category:Magic realism films]]
[[ru:Большой (фильм)]]
[[Category:Workplace comedy films]]
[[sv:Big]]
[[Category:Fortune-telling in popular culture]]
[[Category:English-language romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:English-language fantasy comedy films]]
[[Category:Saturn Award–winning films]]

Latest revision as of 23:12, 5 January 2025

"Josh Baskin" redirects here. For the lynching victim, see Newberry Six lynchings.

Big
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPenny Marshall
Written by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyBarry Sonnenfeld
Edited byBarry Malkin
Music byHoward Shore
Production
company
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release date
  • June 3, 1988 (1988-06-03)
Running time
104 minutes (theatrical)
130 minutes (extended edition)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$18 million[1]
Box office$151.7 million[1]

Big is a 1988 American fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Penny Marshall and stars Tom Hanks as Josh Baskin, an adolescent boy whose wish to be "big" transforms him physically into an adult. The film also stars Elizabeth Perkins, David Moscow, John Heard, and Robert Loggia, and was written by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg. It was produced by Gracie Films and distributed by 20th Century Fox.

Upon release, Big was met with wide critical acclaim, particularly for Hanks' performance. It was a huge commercial success as well, grossing $151 million worldwide against a production budget of $18 million, and it proved to be pivotal to Hanks' career, establishing him as a major box-office draw as well as a critical favorite.[2] The film received Academy Award nominations for Best Actor (Hanks) and Best Original Screenplay.

Plot

[edit]

Thirteen-year-old Josh Baskin tries to impress a girl by going on a carnival ride but is refused as he is too short. Dejected, he inserts a coin into an antique fortune-teller machine called Zoltar, and makes a wish to be "big." It dispenses a card stating "Your wish is granted," but Josh discovers the machine has been unplugged the entire time.

The next morning, Josh discovers that the Zoltar machine can actually make wishes come true, as he has grown physically into an adult. He tries to locate the machine, but finds that the carnival has moved on (the mysticism behind the machine is never revealed). Returning home, he desperately tries to explain his predicament to his mother, who panics and chases him from the house thinking he is a stranger who has kidnapped her son. He then finds his best friend Billy at his school and convinces him of his identity by reciting a song that only they know. With Billy's help, Josh learns that it will take at least six weeks to find the Zoltar machine again, so Josh rents a room in a flophouse in New York City and gets a job as a data entry clerk at the MacMillan Toy Company.

The Walking Piano, as featured in Big

Josh meets the company's owner, Mr. MacMillan, at FAO Schwarz, and impresses him with his insight into current toys and his child-like enthusiasm. They play duets ("Heart and Soul" and "Chopsticks") on the store's Walking Piano, and MacMillan invites Josh to a massive marketing campaign pitch meeting with senior executives. Unimpressed with the toy being pitched, Josh shocks and challenges the executives with a simple declaration that the toy is not fun, and while his follow-up suggestions invigorate the team for new ideas, he earns the animosity of Paul Davenport, the pitch's leader. Meanwhile, a pleased MacMillan promotes Josh to Vice President of Product Development. He soon attracts the attention of Susan Lawrence, a fellow executive, and a romance begins to develop, much to the dismay of her former boyfriend Davenport. Josh becomes increasingly entwined in his adult life by spending time with Susan, mingling with her friends, and entering into a steady relationship with her. His ideas become valuable assets to MacMillan Toys; however, he begins to forget what it is like to be a child, and his tight schedule rarely allows him to spend time with Billy.

MacMillan asks Josh to come up with proposals for a new line of toys. He is intimidated by the need to formulate the business aspects of the proposal, but Susan says that she will handle the business end while he comes up with the ideas. Nevertheless, he feels pressured and longs for his old life. When he expresses doubts to Susan and attempts to explain that he is a child, she interprets this as fear of commitment on his part and dismisses his explanation.

Josh learns from Billy that the Zoltar machine is now at Sea Point Park, and he leaves in the middle of his presentation to MacMillan and the other executives. Susan also leaves and encounters Billy, who tells her where Josh went. At the park, Josh finds the machine, unplugs it, and makes a wish to become a child again. He is then confronted by Susan for running off, but upon seeing the machine and the fortune, she realizes that he was telling the truth and becomes despondent that their relationship will end. Josh thanks her for their time together and suggests she use the machine to turn herself into a little girl. Susan declines but offers to drive Josh back to New Jersey. After sharing an emotional goodbye with Susan, Josh transforms into a child again before reuniting with his family and Billy.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

The Italian film Da grande (1987) has been said to be the inspiration for Big.[3][4] Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg developed the story in one hour; days after the script was completed they sold it to James L. Brooks and 20th Century Fox.[5]

Anne's brother Steven Spielberg was attached to direct the film and wanted to cast Harrison Ford as Josh but Spielberg dropped out due to scheduling conflicts with Empire of the Sun (1987).[6][7][8] Ford also pursued other projects instead.[9] Spielberg would later say that his decision to not direct the film was not to take any credit away from his sister.[10] Kevin Costner, Steve Guttenberg, Warren Beatty, Dennis Quaid and Matthew Modine were all offered the role of Josh, all of whom turned it down.[11][12][13] Albert Brooks was also offered the role but turned it down as he did not want to play a kid.[14][15] Jeff Bridges was also considered for the role.[16] John Travolta wanted to play Josh, but the studio wasn't interested in casting him.[17] Sean Penn was considered for the role of Josh, but Marshall deemed him too young. Gary Busey auditioned for the role of Josh, but Marshall did not think he could pull off playing an adult.[11] Andy García read for Josh, but one of the studio executives did not want to spend $18 million for "a kid to grow to be Puerto Rican" (García is actually Cuban).[11] Debra Winger tried to convince Marshall to rewrite Josh into a woman.[18][9] Marshall also auditioned other comic male actors for the role, but she found their performances "too broad".[9] Robert De Niro was cast in the lead role with Elizabeth Perkins. He later dropped out due to "scheduling conflicts" and was replaced by Tom Hanks.[19][20] Hanks and Loggia made two cardboard pianos and practiced them at home;[21] the studio hired doubles in case Hanks and Loggia did not get it right.[22] Prior to filming, Hanks spent time with Jared Rushton and David Moscow and attempted to emulate Moscow's body language and acting style in order to make a convincing performance of being the adult version of the child actor.[23]

At the time of the film's release, Big (1988) was part of a series of twin films featuring an age-changing plot produced during the late 1980s, including Like Father Like Son (1987), 18 Again! (1988), Vice Versa (1988) and 14 Going on 30 (1988).[24][25]

Reception

[edit]

Box office

[edit]

During its opening weekend, the film opened in second place behind Crocodile Dundee II, earning $8.2 million.[26] The film ultimately grossed nearly $115 million in the United States and Canada and $36.7 million internationally, totaling $151.7 million worldwide.[1][27] It was the first feature film directed by a woman to gross over $100 million.[28]

Critical response

[edit]

Janet Maslin of The New York Times praised Hanks's performance, writing "Wide-eyed, excited and wonderfully guileless, [he] is an absolute delight, and the film is shrewd in relieving him of the responsibility to behave furtively and hide his altered condition."[29] Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune felt "Hanks proves himself to be an adept comedian here"; however, he wrote the film "is at its best when romance blooms at a toy company where Elizabeth Perkins is an executive and Hanks has become a star vice president with his innocent approach to picking best-selling toys."[30] Roger Ebert, in his Chicago Sun-Times review, wrote:

Big is a tender, soft-hearted, and cheerful movie, well-directed by Penny Marshall and with a script by Anne Spielberg and Gary Ross that has a lot of fun with simple verbal misunderstandings ...Hanks, who had a tendency to push too hard, I thought, in Nothing in Common, this time finds a vulnerability and sweetness for his character that's quite appealing.[31]

Jay Boyar of the Orlando Sentinel highlighted Hanks for his "invincible amiability" and further wrote "Elizabeth Perkins gives a smart, sexy performance as Susan, and Robert Loggia has a crusty whimsicality as Josh's boss." Altogether, he wrote "Big isn't a heavy-message movie, but there are a couple of ideas behind it, ideas that help focus the action. Marshall and the screenwriters want us to know that we should stay in touch with the child inside us."[32] Duane Byrge, reviewing for The Hollywood Reporter, wrote: "Keeping it spry and winningly light, director Penny Marshall doesn't hammer any themes or satire into the film; she, quite shrewdly, keeps Big likeably small. The comedy is natural and unforced, in no small part because of Hanks' wonderfully slapstick performance."[33] Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times felt the film "manages to be funny, warm, sophisticated and above all, imaginative, from start to finish ... It is also a personal triumph for Tom Hanks; Nothing in Common and now Big confirm his position as the screen's premier young light comedian. Hanks recalls the amiable charm of the young Jimmy Stewart and Jack Lemmon, yet his bemused personality is as contemporary as the yuppies he plays so well."[34] John Simon of the National Review described Big as "an accomplished, endearing, and by no means mindless fantasy".[35]

On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film scored a 98% rating based on 80 reviews, with an average rating of 7.90/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Refreshingly sweet and undeniably funny, Big is a showcase for Tom Hanks, who dives into his role and infuses it with charm and surprising poignancy."[36] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 73 out of 100, based on 20 critics.[37] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.[38]

Accolades

[edit]
Award Category Recipient(s) Result
Academy Awards[39] Academy Award for Best Actor Tom Hanks Nominated
Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg Nominated
Golden Globe Awards[40][41] Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy — Nominated
Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Tom Hanks Won

The film is number 23 on Bravo's 100 Funniest Movies. In 2000, it was ranked 42nd on the American Film Institute's "100 Years…100 Laughs" list.[42] In June 2008, AFI named it the tenth-best film in the fantasy genre.[43] In 2008, it was selected by Empire as one of "The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time."[44]

The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:

Adaptations

[edit]

Film remakes

[edit]
Main articles: New (film), Naani, and Aao Wish Karein

In 2004, Indian remakes titled New in Tamil-language starring S.J. Suryah and Naani starring Mahesh Babu in Telugu-language were released.[47][48] Also, an Indian Hindi-language remake titled Aao Wish Karein starring Aftab Shivdasani was released in 2009.[49]

Broadway musical

[edit]
Main article: Big (musical)

In 1996, the film was adapted into a Broadway musical. It featured music by David Shire, lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr., and a book by John Weidman.[50] Directed by Mike Ockrent, and choreographed by Susan Stroman, it opened on April 28, 1996, and closed on October 13, 1996, after 193 performances.

Television show

[edit]

The first attempt at adapting the film as a television series came in 1990, with a sitcom pilot produced for CBS that starred Bruce Norris as Josh, Alison La Placa as Susan, and Darren McGavin as Mr. MacMillan; it was not picked up as a series.[citation needed]

On September 30, 2014, Fox announced that a television remake, loosely based on the film, was planned. Written and executive produced by Kevin Biegel and Mike Royce, it dealt with what it means to be an adult and kid in present times.[51]

[edit]
A Zoltan fortune-teller at Gameroom Show

The fictional Zoltar Speaks fortune-telling machine portrayed in the film was modeled after the real-life 1960s machine Zoltan,[52][53] the name differing by one letter. In 2007, the Nevada-based animatronic company Characters Unlimited was awarded a trademark for Zoltar Speaks[54] and began selling fortune-telling machines with that name.[55]

The film is referenced in the DC Extended Universe film Shazam!. In the scene in which Doctor Sivana chases Billy Batson into a toy store, Billy unknowingly steps onto a Walking Piano and briefly plays it before being knocked out a window by Sivana. Additionally, both films' plots center around a child who is magically transformed into an adult.[56][57]

An Easter egg made an appearance in The Order season 2, episode 2, entitled "Free Radicals, Part 2." In the episode, Alyssa shows Jack (Jake Manley) their vault of magical artifacts, which is described by Alyssa as "the beating heart of the Order." This place has everything from Excalibur to the Ark of the Covenant. While there, a Zoltar fortune-telling machine from Big catches Jack's eye. Alyssa explains that it's an "enchanted" Zoltar machine that makes wishes come true. After Jack says he wishes to know his major, Alyssa quickly warns him that Zoltar is a "bit of a trickster" who "grants your wishes ironically." The machine, which is among the artifacts stolen by the demon summoned by the Knights of Saint Christopher, can be spotted in multiple episodes.[58]

In the 2023 film Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, the character Mirage references the movie in the line, "Big is just a movie, you'll never be a real boy!"

See also

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References

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  4. ^ Irazábal Martín, Concha (1996). Alice, Sí Está: Directoras de Cine Europeas y Norteamericanas 1896-1996 (in Spanish). Vol. 23 of Cuadernos inacabados. Madrid: Horas y Horas. ISBN 9788487715594.
  5. ^ "AFI|Catalog".
  6. ^ Getlen, Larry (December 8, 2013). "How Tom Hanks got 'Big' 25 years ago". New York Post.
  7. ^ Harmetz, Aljean (July 6, 1988). "Tom Hanks: From Leading Man to Movie Star". The New York Times.
  8. ^ "Penny Marshall Didn't Mean to Make History, She Just Did". December 18, 2018.
  9. ^ a b c https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/1988/06/26/penny-marshall-edgy-ambitious-and-very-big/9ca4aea0-f2d2-4756-8660-cab181b10e7a/
  10. ^ "Interview: Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg Discuss Bridge of Spies and Exclusive Clip". March 28, 2016.
  11. ^ a b c Yamato, Jen (September 18, 2012). "My Mother Was Nuts Book Excerpt: How Robert de Niro, Not Tom Hanks, Almost Starred in Penny Marshall's Big". Movieline. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  12. ^ Wilson, Chris (August 24, 2013). "Steve Guttenberg turns 55: 15 reasons why the Police Academy star is a cinematic treasure". Daily Mirror.
  13. ^ "Matthew Modine interview: 'America has never dealt honestly with what its history is'". Independent.co.uk. February 22, 2021.
  14. ^ Mell, Eila (2005). Casting Might-Have-Beens: A Film by Film Directory of Actors Considered for Roles Given to Others. Jefferson, NC: McFarland. ISBN 978-1-47660-976-8.
  15. ^ Evans, Bradford (June 30, 2011). "The Lost Roles of Albert Brooks". Vulture.com.
  16. ^ "Big (1988)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films.
  17. ^ Cormier, Roger (June 3, 2015). "15 Huge Facts About Big". Mental Floss.
  18. ^ Longsdorf, Amy (June 5, 1988). "She Knows Give and Take of Direction". Morning Call.
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  31. ^ Ebert, Roger (1989). Roger Ebert's Movie Home Companion (1990 ed.). Andrews and McMeel. pp. 64–65. ISBN 978-0-517-05978-4.
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  52. ^ Kurtz, Bill (1994). Arcade Treasures: With Price Guide. Schiffer. p. 76. ISBN 0-88740-619-X.
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  54. ^ "U.S. Trademark Status serial number 76668678". USPTO. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  55. ^ Buchanan, Leigh (June 12, 2017). "Fortunetelling Can Be a Million-Dollar Business. Just Ask This Company". Inc. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  56. ^ Pham, Jason (April 11, 2019). "13 'Shazam!' Easter Eggs You Totally Missed in Your First Watch". StyleCaster.
  57. ^ Berger, Matt (April 16, 2019). "10 Movie References and Inspirations in Shazam!". Screen Rant.
  58. ^ Raymond, Nicholas (July 5, 2020). "The Order Season 2 Has A Big Movie Easter Egg". Screen Rant.
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