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hit for HanksBy NATHAN PAIGECafl and Post entertainment writer- * ~ ~-■ . • ;• '• .Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it, such is the case in the new comedy “Big” starring Tom Hanks (Dragnet, Splash).Hanks plays Joshua Baskin, a thirteen year-old boy with thirteen year-old interests; namely, girls. At a local carnival Josh sees the girl of his dreams, Cynthia, in line for the scariest ride in the park. Unfortunately, he is embarassed in front of her and her date because he isn’t tail enough to ride. Dejected, he cruises the park and comes across a fortune telling machine, Zoltar Speaks, which tells him that his wish of wanting to be big has been granted. Come morning Josh is big, the carnival’s gone and his mother is hysterical, refusing to believe the truth and insistf her son has been kidnapped.Josh confronts Billy, his best friend, who reacts as if he is about to be molested by a stranger until Josh recites a secret song that only he and Billy know. At that point the adventure begins. Billy helps Josh select a sleazy motel room in which to live where Josh isexposed to the not-so-glamorousside of adult life. The scene whereJosh spends his first night in the motel is the audience’s first indication that Hank put his all into this role to make it believeable. This room becomes he and Billy’s‘happy haven’ where toys, television anbd pizza rule.Eventually Josh lands ajob as a data processor in a toy company, however, the owner (Robert Loggia) stumbles across Josh in a toy store, totally engrossed with a laser tag game. After seeking his advice on various toys the company manufactures, Josh receives a promotion, a BIG promotion and becomes the envy of the company. iSusan (Elizabeth Perkins) is determined to find out what makes Josh tick and discovers that there is more to love than sleeping together; that there can also be times of innocent fun and just being in each other’s company that can bring about moments of happiness.After his first experience, Josh begins to grow up a little and the age gap between he and Billy begins to take effect; he can longer find the time to spend with his pai who has been diligently searching for the present location of the carnival possessing the Zoltar machine He locates the machine and tells Josh of its whereabouts. giuWill Josh approach the machine and return to his former self? Will Susan follow him or persuade him to stay? And lastly, wouldn’t it just spoil your day if I told you? Don’t worry, I won’t.Hank has locked into the innocence of childhood, something which he probably already possessed, and comes across so convincing that you really don’t see him as an adult because there’s nothing about him that shows any maturity. Penny Marshall, who also directed the Whoopi Goldberg film “Jumpin’ Jack Flash’’ has successfully made the transition from comedic actress to directing. She has created a film full of warmth, humor and emotion, sort of like a sophisticated, carefully crafted episode of “Laverne and Shirley.“BIG” is a film for all ages, despite the storyline. It will hold a special place in their hearts and minds of those ‘adults’ who never really let the child inside totally escape What’sthat, you say none of you fall into that category? Why, that’s just like saying there’s no such thing as Santa. Yes...? Excuse me readers, Mike the cartoonist wants to tell me something. Yeah, Mike, what is it,..? What do you mean Santa doesn’t exist!?! Uh...readers, forgive my abrupt departure but, uh...something has come up and I feel a terrible headache coming on, but go see the movie, you’ll love it. Gotta go. Now Mike, run tljat by me again about Santa. ..
Newspaper Details
Call and Post
Cleveland, Ohio, US
Thu, Jul 07, 1988
Page 17
Full Page
Clipped by
Rotten T.
USA 29 Mar 2022
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