Big (1988)

I came across this on HBO and showed it to my 10 year old for the first time. It is as good as I remembered. I believe Tom Hanks is 12 in this movie. His body language and his facial reactions are simply not that as an adult, but as a naive kid.

And I love that of a friendship, it is the naive child that becomes big, and the more dominant, more knowing friend who helps him figure out what to do in the early stages. It is one of many sure handed steps the film takes. While the character comedy is so well done, the satire of the business world is able to co-exist.

This film should stumble somewhere, but never does. Penny Marshall is more sure handed here than with any film she has ever made. And this remains my favorite Hanks performace to date. Because I really believe he was 12 when he made this movie. He had to be... Right? Grade: A+