Wikipedia

Big(film)

"Josh Baskin" redirects here. For the lynching victim, seeNewberry Six lynchings.

Bigis a 1988 Americanfantasycomedy-dramafilm directed byPenny Marshalland starsTom Hanksas Josh Baskin, an adolescent boy whose wish to be "big" transforms him physically into an adult. The film also starsElizabeth Perkins,David Moscow,John Heard,andRobert Loggia,and was written byGary RossandAnne Spielberg.It was produced byGracie Filmsand distributed by20th Century Fox.

Big
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPenny Marshall
Written by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyBarry Sonnenfeld
Edited byBarry Malkin
Music byHoward Shore
Production
company
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release date
  • June 3, 1988(1988-06-03)
Running time
104 minutes (theatrical)
130 minutes (extended edition)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$18 million[1]
Box office$151.7 million[1]

Upon release,Bigwas met with wide critical acclaim, particularly for Hanks' performance. It was a huge commercial success as well, grossing $151 million worldwide against a production budget of $18 million, and it proved to be pivotal to Hanks' career, establishing him as a major box-office draw as well as a critical favorite.[2]The film receivedAcademy Awardnominations forBest Actor(Hanks) andBest Original Screenplay.

Plot

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Thirteen-year-old Josh Baskin tries to impress a girl by going on acarnival ridebut is refused as he is too short. Dejected, he inserts a coin into an antiquefortune-teller machinecalled Zoltar, and makes a wish to be "big." It dispenses a card stating "Your wish is granted," but Josh discovers the machine has been unplugged the entire time.

The next morning, Josh discovers that the Zoltar machine can actually make wishes come true, as he has grown physically into an adult. He tries to locate the machine, but finds that the carnival has moved on (the mysticism behind the machine is never revealed). Returning home, he desperately tries to explain his predicament to his mother, who panics and chases him from the house thinking he is a stranger who has kidnapped her son. He then finds his best friend Billy at his school and convinces him of his identity by reciting a song that only they know. With Billy's help, Josh learns that it will take at least six weeks to find the Zoltar machine again, so Josh rents a room in aflophouseinNew York Cityand gets a job as a data entry clerk at the MacMillan Toy Company.

The Walking Piano,as featured inBig

Josh meets the company's owner, Mr. MacMillan, atFAO Schwarz,and impresses him with his insight into current toys and his child-likeenthusiasm.They play duets ( "Heart and Soul"and"Chopsticks") on the store'sWalking Piano,and MacMillan invites Josh to a massive marketing campaign pitch meeting with senior executives. Unimpressed with the toy being pitched, Josh shocks and challenges the executives with a simple declaration that the toy is not fun, and while his follow-up suggestions invigorate the team for new ideas, he earns the animosity of Paul Davenport, the pitch's leader. Meanwhile, a pleased MacMillan promotes Josh to Vice President of Product Development. He soon attracts the attention of Susan Lawrence, a fellow executive, and a romance begins to develop, much to the dismay of her former boyfriend Davenport. Josh becomes increasingly entwined in his adult life by spending time with Susan, mingling with her friends, and entering into a steady relationship with her. His ideas become valuable assets to MacMillan Toys; however, he begins to forget what it is like to be a child, and his tight schedule rarely allows him to spend time with Billy.

MacMillan asks Josh to come up with proposals for a new line of toys. He is intimidated by the need to formulate the business aspects of the proposal, but Susan says that she will handle the business end while he comes up with the ideas. Nevertheless, he feels pressured and longs for his old life. When he expresses doubts to Susan and attempts to explain that he is a child, she interprets this as fear of commitment on his part and dismisses his explanation.

Josh learns from Billy that the Zoltar machine is now atSea Point Park,and he leaves in the middle of his presentation to MacMillan and the other executives. Susan also leaves and encounters Billy, who tells her where Josh went. At the park, Josh finds the machine, unplugs it, and makes a wish to become a child again. He is then confronted by Susan for running off, but upon seeing the machine and the fortune, she realizes that he was telling the truth and becomes despondent that their relationship will end. Josh thanks her for their time together and suggests she use the machine to turn herself into a little girl. Susan declines but offers to drive Josh back to New Jersey. After sharing an emotional goodbye with Susan, Josh transforms into a child again before reuniting with his family and Billy.

Cast

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Production

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TheItalianfilmDa grande(1987) has been said to be the inspiration forBig.[3][4]Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg developed the story in one hour; days after the script was completed they sold it to James L. Brooks and 20th Century Fox.[5]

Anne's brotherSteven Spielbergwas attached to direct the film and wanted to castHarrison Fordas Josh but Spielberg dropped out due to scheduling conflicts withEmpire of the Sun(1987).[6][7][8]Ford also pursued other projects instead.[9]Spielberg would later say that his decision to not direct the film was not to take any credit away from his sister.[10]Kevin Costner,Steve Guttenberg,Warren Beatty,Dennis QuaidandMatthew Modinewere all offered the role of Josh, all of whom turned it down.[11][12][13]Albert Brookswas also offered the role but turned it down as he did not want to play a kid.[14][15]Jeff Bridgeswas also considered for the role.[16]John Travoltawanted to play Josh, but the studio wasn't interested in casting him.[17]Sean Pennwas considered for the role of Josh, but Marshall deemed him too young.Gary Buseyauditioned for the role of Josh, but Marshall did not think he could pull off playing an adult.[11]Andy Garcíaread for Josh, but one of the studio executives did not want to spend $18 million for "a kid to grow to be Puerto Rican" (García is actually Cuban).[11]Debra Wingertried to convince Marshall to rewrite Josh into a woman.[18][9]Marshall also auditioned other comic male actors for the role, but she found their performances "too broad".[9]Robert De Nirowas cast in the lead role withElizabeth Perkins.He later dropped out due to "scheduling conflicts" and was replaced byTom Hanks.[19][20]Hanks and Loggia made two cardboard pianos and practiced them at home;[21]the studio hired doubles in case Hanks and Loggia did not get it right.[22]Prior to filming, Hanks spent time with Jared Rushton and David Moscow and attempted to emulate Moscow's body language and acting style in order to make a convincing performance of being the adult version of the child actor.[23]

At the time of the film's release,Big(1988) was part of a series oftwin filmsfeaturing an age-changing plot produced during the late 1980s, includingLike Father Like Son(1987),18 Again!(1988),Vice Versa(1988) and14 Going on 30(1988).[24][25]

Reception

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Box office

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During its opening weekend, the film opened in second place behindCrocodile Dundee II,earning $8.2 million.[26]The film ultimately grossed nearly $115 million in the United States and Canada and $36.7 million internationally, totaling $151.7 million worldwide.[1][27]It was the first feature film directed by a woman to gross over $100 million.[28]

Critical response

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Janet MaslinofThe New York Timespraised Hanks's performance, writing "Wide-eyed, excited and wonderfully guileless, [he] is an absolute delight, and the film is shrewd in relieving him of the responsibility to behave furtively and hide his altered condition."[29]Gene Siskelof theChicago Tribunefelt "Hanks proves himself to be an adept comedian here"; however, he wrote the film "is at its best when romance blooms at a toy company where Elizabeth Perkins is an executive and Hanks has become a star vice president with his innocent approach to picking best-selling toys."[30]Roger Ebert,in hisChicago Sun-Timesreview, wrote:

Bigis a tender, soft-hearted, and cheerful movie, well-directed by Penny Marshall and with a script by Anne Spielberg and Gary Ross that has a lot of fun with simple verbal misunderstandings...Hanks, who had a tendency to push too hard, I thought, inNothing in Common,this time finds a vulnerability and sweetness for his character that's quite appealing.[31]

Jay Boyar of theOrlando Sentinelhighlighted Hanks for his "invincible amiability" and further wrote "Elizabeth Perkins gives a smart, sexy performance as Susan, and Robert Loggia has a crusty whimsicality as Josh's Boss." Altogether, he wrote "Bigisn't a heavy-message movie, but there are a couple of ideas behind it, ideas that help focus the action. Marshall and the screenwriters want us to know that we should stay in touch with the child inside us. "[32]Duane Byrge, reviewing forThe Hollywood Reporter,wrote: "Keeping it spry and winningly light, director Penny Marshall doesn't hammer any themes or satire into the film; she, quite shrewdly, keepsBiglikeably small. The comedy is natural and unforced, in no small part because of Hanks' wonderfully slapstick performance. "[33]Kevin Thomasof theLos Angeles Timesfelt the film "manages to be funny, warm, sophisticated and above all, imaginative, from start to finish... It is also a personal triumph for Tom Hanks;Nothing in Commonand nowBigconfirm his position as the screen's premier young light comedian. Hanks recalls the amiable charm of the youngJimmy StewartandJack Lemmon,yet his bemused personality is as contemporary as the yuppies he plays so well. "[34]John Simonof theNational ReviewdescribedBigas "an accomplished, endearing, and by no means mindless fantasy".[35]

On thereview aggregatorRotten Tomatoes,the film scored a 98% rating based on 80 reviews, with an average rating of 7.90/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Refreshingly sweet and undeniably funny,Bigis a showcase for Tom Hanks, who dives into his role and infuses it with charm and surprising poignancy. "[36]OnMetacritic,the film has a weighted average score of 73 out of 100, based on 20 critics.[37]Audiences polled byCinemaScoregave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.[38]

Accolades

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Award Category Recipient(s) Result
Academy Awards[39] Academy Award for Best Actor Tom Hanks Nominated
Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay Gary RossandAnne Spielberg Nominated
Golden Globe Awards[40][41] Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy — Nominated
Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Tom Hanks Won

The film is number 23 onBravo's100 Funniest Movies.In 2000, it was ranked 42nd on theAmerican Film Institute's "100 Years…100 Laughs"list.[42]In June 2008, AFI named it thetenth-best filmin the fantasy genre.[43]In 2008, it was selected byEmpireas one of "The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time."[44]

The film is recognized byAmerican Film Institutein these lists:

Adaptations

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Film remakes

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Main articles:New (film),Naani,andAao Wish Karein

In 2004,Indianremakes titledNewin Tamil-language starringS.J. SuryahandNaanistarringMahesh Babuin Telugu-language were released.[47][48]Also, an Indian Hindi-language remake titledAao Wish KareinstarringAftab Shivdasaniwas released in 2009.[49]

Broadway musical

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Main article:Big (musical)

In 1996, the film was adapted into aBroadwaymusical. It featured music byDavid Shire,lyrics byRichard Maltby Jr.,and a book byJohn Weidman.[50]Directed byMike Ockrent,and choreographed bySusan Stroman,it opened on April 28, 1996, and closed on October 13, 1996, after 193 performances.

Television show

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The first attempt at adapting the film as a television series came in 1990, with a sitcom pilot produced forCBSthat starred Bruce Norris as Josh,Alison La Placaas Susan, andDarren McGavinas Mr. MacMillan; it was not picked up as a series.[citation needed]

On September 30, 2014,Foxannounced that a television remake, loosely based on the film, was planned. Written and executive produced byKevin BiegelandMike Royce,it dealt with what it means to be an adult and kid in present times.[51]

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AZoltanfortune-teller at Gameroom Show

The fictionalZoltar Speaksfortune-telling machine portrayed in the film was modeled after the real-life 1960s machineZoltan,[52][53]the name differing by one letter. In 2007, the Nevada-basedanimatroniccompany Characters Unlimited was awarded atrademarkforZoltar Speaks[54]and began selling fortune-telling machines with that name.[55]

The film is referenced in theDC Extended UniversefilmShazam!.In the scene in whichDoctor SivanachasesBilly Batsoninto a toy store, Billy unknowingly steps onto a Walking Piano and briefly plays it before being knocked out a window by Sivana. Additionally, both films' plots center around a child who is magically transformed into an adult.[56][57]

An Easter egg made an appearance inThe Orderseason 2, episode 2, entitled "Free Radicals, Part 2." In the episode, Alyssa shows Jack (Jake Manley) their vault of magical artifacts, which is described by Alyssa as "the beating heart of the Order." This place has everything fromExcaliburto theArk of the Covenant.While there, a Zoltar fortune-telling machine fromBigcatches Jack's eye. Alyssa explains that it's an "enchanted" Zoltar machine that makes wishes come true. After Jack says he wishes to know his major, Alyssa quickly warns him that Zoltar is a "bit of a trickster" who "grants your wishes ironically." The machine, which is among the artifacts stolen by the demon summoned by the Knights of Saint Christopher, can be spotted in multiple episodes.[58]

In the 2023 filmTransformers: Rise of the Beasts,the character Mirage references the movie in the line, "Bigis just a movie, you'll never be a real boy! "

See also

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References

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  1. ^abc"Big (1988)".The Numbers.RetrievedJanuary 16,2015.
  2. ^"Tom Hanks Biography".Biography(FYI/A&E Networks).RetrievedAugust 6,2014.
  3. ^"Cinema Italiano 2010: Master of Ceremonies and Jurors".Cinema Italiano in Hawaii.Archived fromthe originalon December 27, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 15,2011.
  4. ^Irazábal Martín, Concha (1996).Alice, Sí Está: Directoras de Cine Europeas y Norteamericanas 1896-1996(in Spanish). Vol. 23 ofCuadernos inacabados.Madrid: Horas y Horas.ISBN9788487715594.
  5. ^"AFI|Catalog".
  6. ^Getlen, Larry (December 8, 2013)."How Tom Hanks got 'Big' 25 years ago".New York Post.
  7. ^Harmetz, Aljean (July 6, 1988)."Tom Hanks: From Leading Man to Movie Star".The New York Times.
  8. ^"Penny Marshall Didn't Mean to Make History, She Just Did".December 18, 2018.
  9. ^abchttps:// washingtonpost /archive/lifestyle/style/1988/06/26/penny-marshall-edgy-ambitious-and-very-big/9ca4aea0-f2d2-4756-8660-cab181b10e7a/
  10. ^"Interview: Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg Discuss Bridge of Spies and Exclusive Clip".March 28, 2016.
  11. ^abcYamato, Jen (September 18, 2012)."My Mother Was Nuts Book Excerpt: How Robert de Niro, Not Tom Hanks, Almost Starred in Penny Marshall's Big".Movieline.RetrievedAugust 16,2021.
  12. ^Wilson, Chris (August 24, 2013)."Steve Guttenberg turns 55: 15 reasons why the Police Academy star is a cinematic treasure".Daily Mirror.
  13. ^"Matthew Modine interview: 'America has never dealt honestly with what its history is'".Independent.co.uk.February 22, 2021.
  14. ^Mell, Eila (2005).Casting Might-Have-Beens: A Film by Film Directory of Actors Considered for Roles Given to Others.Jefferson, NC: McFarland.ISBN978-1-47660-976-8.
  15. ^Evans, Bradford (June 30, 2011)."The Lost Roles of Albert Brooks".Vulture.
  16. ^"Big (1988)".AFI Catalog of Feature Films.
  17. ^Cormier, Roger (June 3, 2015)."15 Huge Facts About Big".Mental Floss.
  18. ^Longsdorf, Amy (June 5, 1988)."She Knows Give and Take of Direction".Morning Call.
  19. ^Haring, Bruce (April 8, 2021)."Robert De Niro Was Originally Cast In 'Big' Instead Of Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins Claims".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedAugust 16,2021.
  20. ^Parker, Ryan (June 8, 2021)."Robert De Niro Explains Why He Dropped Out of the Lead in 'Big'".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedAugust 16,2021.
  21. ^"The Heart and Soul of the 'Big' Piano".June 4, 2018.
  22. ^"Robert Loggia".The A.V. Club.September 8, 2011.
  23. ^"'Big' at 25: David Moscow grows up ".USA Today.
  24. ^Harmetz, Aljean(January 15, 1990)."The Media Business; Buchwald Ruling: Film Writers vs. Star Power".The New York Times.RetrievedSeptember 23,2011.
  25. ^Cormier, Roger (June 3, 2015)."15 Huge Facts About 'Big'".Mental Floss.RetrievedJuly 5,2016.
  26. ^Easton, Nina (June 7, 1988)."Weekend Box Office: 'Big' Looks Like a Big Hit".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedNovember 8,2023.
  27. ^"Big (1988)".Box Office Mojo.RetrievedSeptember 1,2009.
  28. ^Telling, Gillian (December 19, 2018)."Penny Marshall, Who Died at 75, Broke Barriers as a Female Director: A Look at Her Biggest Hits".People.RetrievedSeptember 12,2022.
  29. ^Maslin, Janet(June 3, 1988)."Review/Film; Tom Hanks as a 13-Year-Old, in 'Big'".The New York Times.p. C8.RetrievedSeptember 1,2009.
  30. ^Siskel, Gene (June 3, 1988)."Flick of the Week: Hanks Makes 'Big' Splash".Chicago Tribune.RetrievedNovember 8,2023.
  31. ^Ebert, Roger (1989).Roger Ebert's Movie Home Companion(1990 ed.).Andrews and McMeel.pp.64–65.ISBN978-0-517-05978-4.
  32. ^Boyar, Jay (June 3, 1988)."Hanks Reverts To Child's Play In 'Big' Success".Orlando Sentinel.RetrievedNovember 8,2023.
  33. ^Byrge, Duane (June 3, 2016) [June 3, 1988]."'Big': THR's 1988 Review ".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedNovember 8,2023.
  34. ^Thomas, Kevin (June 3, 1988)."Movie Review: 'Big' at Head of the Body-Exchange Class".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedNovember 8,2023.
  35. ^Simon, John (2005).John Simon on Film: Criticism 1982–2001.Applause Books. pp.174–175.ISBN978-1-557-83507-9.
  36. ^"Big (1988)".Rotten Tomatoes.RetrievedFebruary 8,2023.
  37. ^"Big 1988".Metacritic.
  38. ^"Find CinemaScore"(Type "Big" in the search box).CinemaScore.RetrievedJanuary 9,2019.
  39. ^"The 61st Annual Oscar Awards".The Baltimore Sun.March 26, 1989.RetrievedMarch 30,2021– viaNewspapers.
  40. ^"Hollywood Foreign Press Lists Globe Nominations".Tyler Courier-Times.January 6, 1989.RetrievedMarch 30,2021– via Newspapers.
  41. ^"Here are movie, TV award winners:" Actor - musical or comedy "Tom Hanks,Big".Asbury Park Press.Associated Press.January 30, 1989.RetrievedMarch 30,2021– via Newspapers.
  42. ^"AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs"(PDF).American Film Institute.2000. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on July 7, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 1,2009.
  43. ^"10 Top 10: Top 10 Fantasy".American Film Institute.2008. Archived fromthe originalon February 10, 2009.RetrievedSeptember 1,2009.
  44. ^"Empire's 500 Greatest Movies Of All Time".EmpireOnline.December 5, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon July 10, 2011.RetrievedJune 22,2012.
  45. ^"AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs"(PDF).American Film Institute.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on March 26, 2017.RetrievedAugust 6,2016.
  46. ^"AFI's 10 Top 10: Top 10 Fantasy".American Film Institute.RetrievedAugust 6,2016.
  47. ^"A Year of Inspirations".Idlebrain.December 29, 2004.
  48. ^"Naani".Sify.May 17, 2004. Archived fromthe originalon August 30, 2020.
  49. ^"Review: AAO Wish Karein anything but a fairy tale".Sify.November 13, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon December 17, 2019.
  50. ^Winer, Lauren (April 29, 1996)."'Big' Has Growing Pains on Broadway ".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedNovember 8,2019.
  51. ^Andreeva, Nellie (September 30, 2014)."'Big' Series In Works At Fox With 'Enlisted's Kevin Biegel & Mike Royce ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedDecember 3,2015.
  52. ^Kurtz, Bill (1994).Arcade Treasures: With Price Guide.Schiffer. p. 76.ISBN0-88740-619-X.
  53. ^"Zoltan Fortune Teller Machine Arcade".Gameroomshow.RetrievedAugust 4,2020.
  54. ^"U.S. Trademark Status serial number 76668678".USPTO.RetrievedMay 27,2020.
  55. ^Buchanan, Leigh (June 12, 2017)."Fortunetelling Can Be a Million-Dollar Business. Just Ask This Company".Inc.RetrievedMay 27,2020.
  56. ^Pham, Jason (April 11, 2019)."13 'Shazam!' Easter Eggs You Totally Missed in Your First Watch".StyleCaster.
  57. ^Berger, Matt (April 16, 2019)."10 Movie References and Inspirations in Shazam!".Screen Rant.
  58. ^Raymond, Nicholas (July 5, 2020)."The Order Season 2 Has A Big Movie Easter Egg".Screen Rant.
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