Big (1988)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Penny Marshall

Writers:

Gary Ross (written by) &
Anne Spielberg (written by)

Release Date:

3 June 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Family | Fantasy | Romance

Tagline:

Have you ever had a really big secret?

Plot:

When a boy wishes to be big at a magic wish machine, he wakes up the next morning and finds himself in an adult body literally overnight.

Plot Keywords:

Wish | Boy | Job | Friend | Toy

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 8 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

Tom Hanks	...	Josh Baskin
Elizabeth Perkins	...	Susan
Robert Loggia	...	MacMillan
John Heard	...	Paul
Jared Rushton	...	Billy
David Moscow	...	Young Josh
Jon Lovitz	...	Scotty Brennen
Mercedes Ruehl	...	Mrs. Baskin
Josh Clark	...	Mr. Baskin
Kimberlee M. Davis	...	Cynthia Benson
Oliver Block	...	Freddie Benson
Erika Katz	...	Cynthia's Friend
Allan Wasserman	...	Gym Teacher
Mark Ballou	...	Derek
Gary Howard Klar	...	Ticket Taker (as Gary Klar)

Runtime:

104 min | 130 min (extended edition)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M (TV rating) | West Germany:6 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:12 | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | UK:12 (2007, uncut; re-rating) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Canada:PG | Chile:TE | Finland:S | Peru:PT | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | USA:PG | Singapore:PG | UK:PG (cut) | Norway:10 | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

435 Greenmount Avenue, Cliffside Park, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Gracie Films

Trivia:

According to Monica Rushton, Jared Rushton (Billy), David Moscow (little Josh) and Tom Hanks (big Josh) were put in a room with a bunch of toys to play with. Having silly string, they tried to use it to gross each other out and that is how the silly string scene between Jared Rushton and Tom Hanks appeared in the movie.

Goofs:

Continuity: The amount of wine in Susan's glass, before she goes to talk with Josh at the party.

Quotes:

MacMillan: Boss needs to be knocked on his ass every once in a while.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Family Guy: The Story on Page One (#2.19)" (2000)

Soundtrack:

WORKIN' FOR A LIVIN'

Bittersweet and beautifully acted

Tom Hanks is at his best -- as are the others in this wonderful movie. Manages to be lighthearted and profound at the same time. The individual scenes are funny and memorable (the boy in a man's body unabashedly devours the food at the office party, surrounded by the restrained and constrained adults), but the whole narrative works as well. Underrated by IMDb users, based on the ratings! If you haven't seen it, rent it next time you are in the mood for something fun.