Some movies just feel like comfort food, and Big is one of them. It is the kind of movie you can throw on any night and immediately settle into, even if you have seen it a dozen times. It is funny, it is sweet, and it has that late 80s charm that makes everything feel a little warmer. It is not perfect, but it is absolutely one of those movies that sticks with you long after the credits roll.
The story kicks off with Josh Baskin, a regular kid who is frustrated with being too short, too young, and too stuck in the middle of childhood. After a rough night at a carnival, he makes a wish at a creepy fortune telling machine called Zoltar. The next morning, he wakes up as a full grown adult. No buildup, no complicated rules, just instant adulthood with all the confusion that comes with it. Josh panics, runs away from home, and ends up navigating New York City with the help of his best friend Billy, who is still very much a kid and not remotely prepared for any of this.
Once Josh lands a job at a toy company, the movie really finds its groove. Watching a kid in an adult’s body try to survive office life is still hilarious. He does not know how meetings work, he does not understand office politics, and he is way too honest for corporate America. But he is also genuinely excited about everything, which makes him stand out. While everyone else is trying to look important, Josh is just having fun. And somehow, that ends up being exactly what the company needs.
Tom Hanks is the heart of the movie. He plays Josh with a perfect mix of innocence and enthusiasm, and it is easy to believe he is a kid trapped in an adult’s body. He does not overdo it or turn it into a cartoon. He just acts like someone who has not learned how to pretend yet. Elizabeth Perkins brings a great balance as Susan, the coworker who gets pulled into Josh’s world. She starts off as your typical stressed out adult, but Josh’s honesty and excitement rub off on her in a way that feels natural.
The movie is packed with memorable scenes. The giant piano at FAO Schwarz is still one of the most iconic moments of the decade. Josh’s apartment, filled with toys, bunk beds, and a trampoline, is exactly what every kid dreamed adulthood would look like. And the scenes where Josh tries to act grown up, like ordering fancy food or trying to blend in at a party, still land. The humor is not mean spirited or sarcastic. It is just fun, and it still works.
What makes Big hold up is how grounded it feels, even with the magical premise. The movie does not get lost in the wish fulfillment fantasy. It shows the downsides of growing up too fast. Josh misses his family, struggles with responsibility, and eventually realizes that adulthood is not all freedom and fun. There is a sweetness to the story that keeps it from feeling like a gimmick. It is not just about a kid becoming an adult. It is about appreciating the time you have before life gets complicated.
The movie also nails the late 80s vibe. The clothes, the offices, the toys, the music, it all feels like stepping back into a specific moment in time. There is something comforting about that. It is not flashy or loud. It is just a slice of the era, and it adds to the charm.
If there is a flaw, it is that the movie occasionally leans a little too hard into sentimentality. Some scenes drag a bit, and a few moments feel like they are trying too hard to be emotional. But honestly, those are small issues. The movie’s heart is in the right place, and even when it gets a little cheesy, it is still enjoyable.
Watching Big now, it is easy to see why people still love it. It is funny without being cynical, sweet without being sappy, and nostalgic without feeling dated. It is one of those movies that reminds you what it felt like to be a kid, not in a loud, flashy way, but in a quiet, honest one. It is about wanting to grow up, getting your wish, and realizing maybe childhood was not so bad after all.
Big is charming, memorable, and just a lot of fun. It’s the kind of movie that earns its place on the shelf, even if it is not the flashiest or most ambitious film of its time.
3.5 out of 5.0 stars
Discover more from The Retro Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
