by Lee Skavydis

Created on: January 30, 2011   Last Updated: January 31, 2011

Before he tried his hand at acting in drama movies, Tom Hanks starred in comedies in the 1980s, and Big is definitely the best of those!

Hanks plays Josh, a kid who makes a wish on a 'make a wish' machine called 'Zoltar' at a theme park to be a grown up. The very next day, he grows into an adult, played by Hanks. His own mother doesn't even know who he is, and the only person he can rely on is his child best friend who he has trouble convincing that it's really himself in the beginning. Eventually, Josh gets a job working at a toy company, and while there he meets a woman named Susan and embarks on a love affair with her, much to the dislike of Susan's former boyfriend.

Big is a great comedy movie, filled with lots of laughs. In this day and age, it is difficult to find a comedy film that is not filled with dumb humor. You would have to go far back to the 1980's, or at the least, the early 1990's to find a movie that has smart, subtle humor, but Big is one of those smart comedy movies.

Tom's performance is great as the confused Josh. He comes across as genuinely terrified when he first has to independently enter the open world on his own, and is just as convincing when Hanks plays an adult with the characteristics and immature behavior of a 12 year old.

Elizabeth Perkins plays Susan, and her character has a good chemistry with Josh. She comes across as an insecure but hard working woman with a strong will. Elizabeth's performance isn't as solid as Tom's, however.

John Heard plays the former boyfriend of Susan and develops a firm rivalry with Josh because of her. He dislikes Josh as soon as he sets his eyes on him, and Hanks and Heard have a great scene together when they both decide to play tennis that ends in hilarious circumstances because of the immaturity of both characters.

I'm not sure if this movie has a message, but if it did have one then it is that, as adults, we have seemingly forgot how to have fun. This movie reminds us that we should have that as grown ups.

Big is fun for all the family, although there is one sexual scene that should be moderated when children are watching.

Highly recommended to everyone!

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