Body-trading experiences make up a whole sub-genre of movies, from Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis in the likable “Freaky Friday” remake, to Steve Martin in the adult comedy “All of Me.”
We could go on: “Heaven Can Wait,” “Being John Malkovich,” “13 going on 30,” ranging from the very good to the utterly forgettable.
But my favorite has always been “Big,” transformed by Tom Hanks from the pedestrian to the remarkably moving. Rather than apologize for his appealing boyishness, Hanks takes full advantage of it under Penny Marshall’s direction to create a body- trapped role that appeals to adults and children in equal measure.
This 1988 film, which gave Hanks an Academy Award nomination, starts with childhood frustration. Thirteen-year-old Josh asks an ominous amusement park fortune telling machine called Zoltar to make him big, and the next morning, Josh is a man, played by Hanks.
Big Josh has to flee his home and get a job in Manhattan, where he lands work at a cool toy company. More important – or perhaps not – his puppy-ish charm makes him successful with women for the first time. Then he must decide whether to go home to his worried family, or keep living the “big” life he thought he wanted.
As you watch Hanks, keep in mind the Hollywood rumor that Harrison Ford, Robert De Niro and Robin Williams were all considered for the same part. Hard to believe any of them would have done half as well.
Each Tuesday, Michael Booth uncovers a movie gem for rewarding family entertainment. Reach him at mbooth@denverpost.com; find the “Screen Team” blog at denverpostbloghouse.com.
“Big”
Rated | PG for mild language and mature themes Most appealing | Children 7 or older
