Subplotly
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Big (1988) poster

Big

dir. Penny Marshall · 1988

Feature
Coming of Age
Mood
Whimsical / Comedic
Look
vibrant, colorful, and nostalgic with a touch of 80s charm
Structure
linear with episodic adventures
Plot

Josh Baskin would do anything to be big to hang out with his crush at the carnival. He finds a Zoltar machine, and he wishes to be big. After Zoltar tells him, "his wish is granted", Josh notices the machine is unplugged. He wakes up the next morning in an adult's body but he still has the same personality. With the help of his best friend, Billy, Josh learns how to act like a grown up. But as he gets a girlfriend and a fun job, he doesn't want to be a kid again. Will Josh stay big or become a 13 year old boy again?

Why watch

Josh Baskin wishes to be big at a carnival, and when he wakes up as an adult, he must navigate the complexities of adulthood while retaining his childlike spirit. Watching this film is like stepping into a whimsical dream where the boundaries of childhood and adulthood blur, filled with laughter and poignant moments that evoke a sense of nostalgia.

Cultural context
1980s American youth culturethe rise of family-friendly fantasy filmsnostalgia for childhood innocence
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