Big (1988)

After wishing to be made big, a teenage boy wakes the next morning to find himself mysteriously in the body of an adult.

Director:

Penny Marshall

Writers:

Gary Ross, Anne Spielberg

Stars:

Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 11 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Hanks	...	Josh
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)

Storyline

Josh Baskin would do anything to be big to hang out with his crush at the carnival. He finds a Zoltar machine, and he wishes to be big. After Zoltar tells him, "his wish is granted", Josh notices the machine is unplugged. He wakes up the next morning in an adult's body but he still has the same personality. With the help of his best friend, Billy, Josh learns how to act like a grown up. But as he gets a girlfriend and a fun job, he doesn't want to be a kid again. Will Josh stay big or become a 13 year old boy again?

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Plot Keywords:

carnival | chopsticks the song | wish | new york city | body switching | 

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Taglines:

You're Only Young Once But For Josh It Might Just Last A Lifetime.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tom Hanks was the first choice to play Josh Baskin, but was unavailable due to scheduling conflicts with "Dragnet (1987)" and "Punchline (1988)." Robert De Niro was then offered the lead role, but was rejected because his $6 million salary demand was too high. Hanks then became available and accepted it for $2 million. David Moscow was originally cast not as young Josh, but as Billy, since he didn't look like De Niro. When Hanks was given the role, Moscow was recast as young Josh.

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Goofs

At Times Square, the movie Wall Street is playing, but that movie was released in December of 1987. The milk carton with Josh's picture shows he went missing in September, 1987.

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Quotes

Josh: Will you please leave? I got a deadline to meet. Gosh.
Billy: Who the fuck do you think you are ?
Josh: *Hey*!
Billy: You're Josh Baskin, remember? You broke your arm on my roof! You hid in *my* basement when Robert Dyson was about to rip your head off!
Josh: You don't get it, do you? This is important!
Billy: I'm your best friend. What's more important than that, huh?
[Turns to leave]
Billy: And I'm three months older than you are, *asshole*!

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Alternate Versions

The Extended Edition is 130 minutes. It was released in 2007, and contains 26 minutes of previously deleted scenes, including Frances Fisher's role as Mrs. Kopecki.

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Connections

Spoofed in The Kevin Bishop Show: Episode #2.5 (2009)

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Soundtracks

Forget Me Nots
Written by Patrice Rushen and Freddie Washington
Performed by Patrice Rushen (as Patricia Rushen)
Courtesy of Elektra/Asylum Records
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

The Child in You.

What we're talking about is a wonderful fantasy comedy about the child, who sleeps in everyone's soul and waits to get free. Superbly written scenes follow each other, not to mention Tom Hanks' performance, which should have been awarded. He seems to me the only contemporary actor, who was able to play the role of a 13-year-old teenager, who becomes an adult from one day to another. Elizabeth Perkins and especially John Heard form a strong supporting cast and this time they really support Hanks' work. This film bothers to talk about more important things, like the loss of innocence, friendship and the first love, not just tells a story about a boy in the big city. This was Hanks' star-making role after a string of stupid comedies in the middle 80s and he deservedly became one of the biggest stars of the 90s. And don't forget, this was his first film in his "outsider" series: he made his biggest successes playing somehow outsider figures: Sleepless in Seattle, Philadelphia, Forrest Gump or the Cast Away. Go and see it, you won't be disappointed even if you think you've lost the child inside you...with the help of this film you will find it. Believe me.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

3 June 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Big

Filming Locations:

Garden State News, 666 Anderson Ave, Cliffside Park, New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,216,190, 5 June 1988

Gross USA:

$115,227,281

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$151,927,281

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Entertainment Partners II L.P., Gracie Films, Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min 130 min (extended edition)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1