Big

I cannot think of a better age-switching movie other than Big. (Yes, there are others.) I never let rationality or logic get in the way of the fact that I love this particular mainstream Hollywood film…

The film starts off with 13 year old Josh Baskin played by David Moscow living an average life in New Jersey. After not meeting the height requirement for an amusement park ride (and being embarrassed by that fact in front of the girl he likes), Josh makes a wish to be “big” on a creepy fortune telling machine. The next morning 13 year old Josh wakes up a grown man and is now played by Tom Hanks. His education, emotions, and experiences stay that of an adolescent but he is undoubtedly a man in his appearance. With the help of his 13 year old best friend Billy (Jared Rushton), Josh heads to New York City to figure out what to do and how to get his young life and body back.

There is something special about Big. It has had a lingering influence on me from the first time I saw it oh-so-many years ago. No, I did not want to have my body age 17 or so years in one night. I never wanted to lose my virginity to Elizabeth Perkins, nor did I want to live on my own in New York City at the age of 13. I did, however, want to have a trampoline and a soda machine in my large New York City loft. I did want to have a kick-ass job at a toy company. And I most certainly wanted to be able to openly spit out food that I don’t like at formal get-togethers.

I decided that after something like 20 years since the last time I saw Big that it was time to re-watch this film. I have to say, for me, this movie stands the test of time. I still love it. I cannot imagine that anyone could have played the adult Josh better than Tom Hanks. I love him in it. The movie itself is still fairly intelligent, funny, and inspiring. I mean, I still kinda want that trampoline…