On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Big is a 1988 American fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Penny Marshall and stars Tom Big easy breakfast as Josh Baskin, a pre-adolescent boy whose wish to be “big” transforms him physically into an adult.
Upon release, Big was met with wide critical acclaim, particularly for Hanks’ performance. 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. Twelve-year-old Josh Baskin is told that he is too short for a carnival ride called the Super Loops while attempting to impress a girl. Dejected, he inserts a coin into an antique fortune-teller machine called Zoltar, and makes a wish to be “big”. It dispenses a card stating “Your wish is granted”, as Josh discovers the machine has been unplugged the entire time. The next morning, Josh finds that he has grown into an adult. He tries to locate the Zoltar machine, but finds that the carnival has moved on.
Returning home, he tries to explain his predicament to his mother, who chases him from the house thinking he is a stranger who has kidnapped her son. He then finds his best friend Billy and convinces him of his identity by reciting a silly song that only they know. Josh meets the company’s owner, Mr. 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. 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 kid again. After sharing an emotional goodbye with Susan, Josh transforms into a child again before reuniting with his family and Billy. Anne’s brother Steven Spielberg was attached to direct the film and wanting to cast Harrison Ford as Josh but Spielberg dropped out when his son Max was born and also due to scheduling conflicts with Empire of the Sun. The New York Times praised the performances of Moscow and Rushton, saying the film “features believable young teenage mannerisms from the two real boys in its cast and this only makes Mr. Hanks’s funny, flawless impression that much more adorable. 74 reviews, with an average rating of 7.
The website’s critical consensus reads, “Refreshingly sweet and undeniably funny, Big is a showcase for Tom Hanks, who dives into his role and infuses it with charm and surprising poignancy. The film is number 23 on Bravo’s 100 Funniest Movies. 2 million in its first weekend. In 2004, an Indian remake titled New in Tamil-language starring S. Suryah and Naani starring Mahesh Babu in Telugu-language was released. In 1996, the film was made into a musical for the Broadway stage.
It featured music by David Shire, lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr. On September 30, 2014, Fox announced that a TV remake, loosely based on the film, was planned. Written and executive produced by Kevin Biegel and Mike Royce, it dealt with what it means to be an adult and kid in present times. The fictional Zoltar Speaks fortune-telling machine portrayed in the film was modeled after the real-life 1960s machine Zoltan, the name differing by one letter.
The film is referenced in the 2019 DC Extended Universe film Shazam! An Easter egg made an appearance in The Order season 2, episode 2, entitled “Free Radicals, Part 2. Alyssa as “the beating heart of the Order. Cinema Italiano 2010: Master of Ceremonies and Jurors”. How Tom Hanks got ‘Big’ 25 years ago”. Tom Hanks: From Leading Man to Movie Star”. Penny Marshall Didn’t Mean to Make History, She Just Did”.
My Mother Was Nuts Book Excerpt: How Robert de Niro, Not Tom Hanks, Almost Starred in Penny Marshall’s Big”. Steve Guttenberg turns 55: 15 reasons why the Police Academy star is a cinematic treasure”. Casting Might-Have-Beens: A Film by Film Directory of Actors Considered for Roles Given to Others. The Lost Roles of Albert Brooks”. She Knows Give and Take of Direction”. Robert De Niro Was Originally Cast In ‘Big’ Instead Of Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins Claims”.
The Heart and Soul of the ‘Big’ Piano”. John Simon on Film: Criticism 1982-2001. 10 Top 10: Top 10 Fantasy”. Empire’s 500 Greatest Movies Of All Time”. AFI’s 10 Top 10: Top 10 Fantasy”. Penny Marshall, Who Died at 75, Broke Barriers as a Female Director: A Look at Her Biggest Hits”.