Big (1988)

Big Quote: “OK… but I get to be on top.” – Josh Baskin

Our first return to the VHS vaults is the (1988) classic Big: After a wish from a possessed fortuneteller turns a 12-year-old schoolboy into a 30-year-old man, he is forced to hide in New York City alone. A chance encounter with the owner of a toy company leads to an unlikely high-paying job and an illegal sexual relationship with an adult coworker. However, the pressure of living as an adult and the torment of his mother’s grief over her missing son begin to overwhelm him, and he longs to return to his simple, former life as a boy.

Plot Summary: In the 1988 fantasy-comedy Big, directed by Penny Marshall, Tom Hanks delivers a memorable performance as Josh Baskin, a 12-year-old boy who makes a wish to be “big” and is magically transformed into a 30-year-old man overnight. After being humiliated at a carnival for being too short to ride a ride, Josh stumbles upon a mysterious fortune-telling machine named Zoltar and wishes to be older. When he wakes up the next morning as an adult, played by Hanks, Josh panics and runs away from home, leaving his family confused and frantic.

With the help of his best friend, Billy (Jared Rushton), Josh navigates the world of adulthood, landing a job at a toy company in New York City. His childlike enthusiasm and creativity quickly impress his boss, MacMillan (Robert Loggia), leading to a rapid rise in the corporate world. One of the film’s most iconic scenes occurs when Josh and MacMillan bond over a giant piano keyboard at FAO Schwarz, playing “Chopsticks” with their feet.

As Josh adjusts to his new life, he enters into an awkward romance with his coworker, Susan (Elizabeth Perkins), who is unaware of his true age. However, as he experiences the ups and downs of adulthood, Josh begins to long for the simplicity and innocence of childhood. Ultimately, he must decide whether to remain in his adult life or return to being a kid.

Big is a heartwarming and humorous exploration of growing up, offering a unique perspective on adulthood through the eyes of a child. Join our podcast review as we revisit this beloved classic, discussing Tom Hanks’s breakout performance, the film’s memorable moments, and whether its timeless charm still resonates today.

Subscribe Now

• Android: https://www.shatpod.com/android
• Apple/iTunes: https://www.shatpod.com/apple

Help Support the Podcast

• Contact Us: https://www.shatpod.com/contact
• Commission Movie: https://www.shatpod.com/support
• Support with Paypal: https://www.shatpod.com/paypal
• Support With Venmo: https://www.shatpod.com/venmo
• Shop Merchandise: https://www.shatpod.com/shop
• Theme Song – Die Hard by Guyz Nite: https://www.facebook.com/guyznite