Movies

Ah, those were the days. All of us have done it. Wished we were older, so we could do more. Well, in the movie "Big", a child's wish to become big comes true.Josh is a boy who is not tall enough to ride a roller coaster at a theme park. Humilated in front of a girl he likes, he goes to a "fortune telling" machine, and wishes he could be bigger. He wakes up the next day as a man. When everyone he knows throws him out of their lives, except his best friend, he goes into the adult world. Just by knowing what kids want in toys, he becomes a success in a toy company. He also manages to get a girl wanting him(even though he is completely oblivious to it). All he wants is be himself again.9/10

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.

Big does have its minor faults, such as the parents missing a child idea barely registering, but overall while goofy it is also very charming thanks to the performances and chemistry between the two leads. The story is nice and simple, and it is beautifully handled, while the script is witty, funny and quite charming, like the story. Then there is Penny Marshal's polished direction, some nice cinematography and a sweet soundtrack. The best thing though for me was the performances and chemistry of Tom Hanks and Elizabeth Perkins. Hanks is typically fine in his role, and Perkins makes the most of her character, and the two have a very effective chemistry on screen. So overall, very enjoyable and charming, and actually one of the better body-swap movies out there. 8/10 Bethany Cox