Director: Penny Marshall
Starring: Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins and John Heard
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors are as beloved as Tom Hanks. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1980’s, Hanks has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s political leaders, troubled soldiers or corrupt managers, Hanks has portrayed a wide variety of characters. Arguably, Hanks’ finest strength as an actor has always been his likability. He is one of those actors which has always had a talent for creating characters which are likeable. Through ability to portray characters which prove compelling, Hanks has established a legacy that’s lasting. Known as America’s Sweetheart, Hanks has created movies that audiences consider art. Despite reaching age of retirement, Hanks has never lost his passion for making engaging entertainment. Throughout his commemorated career, Hanks has started in many memorable movies which are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Hanks and adore all films he has made in his career. However, “Big” is my favourite. Released back in 1988, Penny Marshall’s movie offered a powerful portrait of aging. Packed with stunning production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best coming-of-age movies ever made. At the center of it all is an iconic performance by Tom Hanks, who embodies a young boy that’s born into an adult body. Ultimately, what makes “Big” a coming of age classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies made in the 1980’s that are often outdated, it has aged beautifully. A mesmerizing masterpiece about growing big, there are many strong reasons why “Big” is a commemorated movie which is worth watching.
“Big” tells the story of a young boy that has dreams of becoming big. Tom Hanks plays Josh Baskin, a youthful adolescent that has always wished to become an adult. Josh’s wish is granted when a carnival machine is given power to make him an adult. Facing a tricky situation, Josh struggles to adapt to a new world as an adult. Discovering that he is still a 13 year old teenager, Josh wonders whether it’s possible for him to ever become a happy child with a bright future. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Josh is forced to wonder whether it’s possible to be a bright teenager.
Penny Marshall is a newcomer towards the themes of adolescence. Before she made “Big”, Marshall had never directed a coming of age film. It was the filmmaker’s attempt to capture the struggles of children which are born into adults’ bodies but she pulled it off effectively. Using bold cinematography, Marshall captures a child that’s born into an adult’s body. Emulating Robert Zemeckis’ “Back to the Future”, Marshall captures a young child that’s born into an adult’s body through POV shots. For instance, the POV shots enhance the bodies’ transportation scene. During this memorable scene, Josh discovers that he has become an adult that causes tension. Using stunning POV shots, Marshall creates a portrait of aging that’s compelling. POV shots are tricky to use. As Paul Greengrass’ “Captain Phillips” proved, POV shots enhance films about hijacking. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Marshall captures tensions that kids born into adults’ bodies are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Big” which merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Marshall effectively uses costumes to show transformations of children into big adults. For instance, costumes elevate the carnival scene. During this memorable scene, Josh makes a wish to become a big adult from a carnival show. Through stunning costumes, Marshall creates a portrait of adolescence that’s compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Jerskin Fendrix’ music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that big adults bear. Through stunning production, Marshall captures the lives of adolescents transforming into adults facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Big” is a movie about adolescence that is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the lives of big adolescents that face tensions. For instance, silence elevates the farewell scene. During this heartfelt scene, Josh bids emotional farewell to his body as an adult going back to being a child. Through use of silence, Marshall constructs a portrait of adolescence that audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in films. As Robert Zemeckis’ “Cast Away” proved, silence enhances movies about survival. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through a spectacular screenplay, Marshall captures the lives of adolescents that face a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Tom Hanks delivers one of his best career performances as Josh. Hanks first gained appreciation for playing sleepless lovers in romantic dramas. With “Big”, however, he took on his most fun role. It isn’t simple to portray a young child that transforms into an adult but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and truly emotional in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and childish nature of a teenager. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actors today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Hanks, the supporting cast is also excellent and worthy of praise. Elizabeth Perkins is excellent, capturing the resentment of a woman that struggled to cope with aging causing impairment. John Heard is superb, capturing the charismatic nature of a teen that often wants his voice to be constantly heard. Last, Jared Rushton is unforgettable. As a rebellious teenager, he is hilarious.
Finally, “Big” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing struggles of children seeking to become big. Unlike most movies about adolescence, it tackles bold themes everyone would relate to. It tackles strong themes including anxiety, mental health and parenting which would definitely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Big” is one of those rare movies about adolescence that everyone would adore.
Fans of Tom Hanks will definitely appreciate “Big” and so would movie-goers which seek exhilarating entertainment. A breathtaking coming of age classic, it honours an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly 40 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about children that are born into a big adult’s body, it’s a powerful reminder of an actor that has built a strong legacy through his abilities to portray bold characters in memorable movies audiences love dearly.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 