BIG

US, 1988, 102 minutes, Colour.
Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia, John Heard, Mercedes Ruehl.
Directed by Penny Marshall.

Big is a delightful film and a star vehicle for Tom Hanks. He received an Oscar nomination for this role. In 1988, there were several films about children in adult bodies, especially sons in fathers' bodies like Like Father Like Son and Vice Versa.

The film was directed by Penny Marshall (Jumping Jack Flash). It has excellent supporting cast, especially Robert Loggia as the owner of the toy store, a wonderful scene of playing a toy piano with Hanks. Jared Rushton is his boyhood friend. Most entertaining.

1.Popular story, treatment? What if...? Tom Hanks vehicle?

2.The suburbs, the child's world, the fair? The adult world, the hotel, offices, the store? Musical score and songs?

3.The title: references to adults, children? The comment on adult and childish and children's behaviour?

4.The plausibility of the plot: the fairy tale, the opening credits, the video games and video comics on the screen?

5.Tom Hanks' personality and presence, Oscar nomination, credible in the performance, his particular touches to indicate the adult with the child within, feelings?

6.Josh and Billy, playing together, 12-year-olds, looking at the girls, Josh going to the fair, too small for the ride, the girl and her boyfriend, the parents? His wish and his meaning behind it?

7.Getting up in the morning, the effect on him, on his mother, the bike ride, watching at school, talking to Billy and persuading him? Singing the song with him? His mother's fear, his decision to leave? Going into New York City, the plan, the search for the fair? His hopes?

8.The adventures of the two boys together, the birthday party, the hotel and watching television, playing the video games? The seedy hotel and the noise, Josh crying? His job and his Social Security number, the interview? Computer skills? His first day at work, the man at the next desk and his advice, `Go slow' - and references to the girls?

9.Meeting Susan, meeting Paul, and McMillan? The critique of the robot building? Playing with the toys? The meeting with McMillan?, the dance on the piano? His relationship with McMillan?, with Susan? The contrast with playing with Billy as a child?

10.Susan and her attentions, the party, the tuxedo, not liking the cheese, the ride in the limousine? Going to his apartment, her staying the night, the double bunk? Susan in love, the trampoline-jumping? The relationship, sexuality, the effect? His trying to tell Susan the truth? At work, the critique of the toys? Paul? Billy and his hurting him? The video comic book? The racquetball game with Paul and Paul's anger? The build-up to the crisis and the meeting and his leaving?

11.Going back to the fair, his wish, with Susan, the drive home, the change, back to normal?

12.The sketch of Billy as his friend, help, wise, the search, his reaction to Susan and girlfriend?

13.Susan, the executive, her wealth, relationship with Paul, meetings, charmed by Josh, the party, the limousine ride, the apartment, the relationship, the hurt, her interpretation of his comments about being a boy, discovering the truth?

14.McMillan, genial, the meetings, the toys, playing with Josh?

15.Paul, business attitudes, mean-minded, mocking Josh, the racquetball game and his temper?

16.Josh's mother, her fears, Billy reassuring her, the phone calls?

17.The childlike highlights - Josh's change, the bike ride, playing with the toys, the piano, his relationship with Susan and her asking what he thought of her? The charm of the film? Its point?