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Big (1988) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Big (1988) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
1988 · 104 min
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Directed by
Penny Marshall
Starring
Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins

A teenager's wish to be older comes true when he mysteriously transforms into an adult. Suddenly faced with the challenges of adulthood, he must learn to cope with the unexpected responsibilities and navigate a world that's become surprisingly complicated. He grapples with the consequences of his wish and the difficulties of growing up too fast, all while trying to find his place.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (1)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (2)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Big
  8. 8 Every angle
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1 main characters · contains spoilers

Big Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Big (1988), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Josh Baskin (Tom Hanks)

    Josh is a twelve-year-old boy who embodies the spirit of childhood even after magically transforming into an adult. He navigates life with childlike wonder and curiosity, finding himself in amusing and confusing situations. His innocent approach to adult challenges serves as a reminder of the importance of joy and simplicity.

    • 🧒 Childhood
    • 👔 Adult Life
    • ❤️ Relationships

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:42

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Setting

Where and When Does Big Take Place?

The setting of Big (1988): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The film is set in a contemporary timeframe relative to its release in the late 1980s, capturing the essence of both youthful dreams and adult realities. It reflects a period when corporate culture was evolving, and the toy industry was booming, providing a nostalgic backdrop for Josh's adventures.

Location

Toy Company, Carnival

The toy company serves as a central location where Josh showcases his childlike insight, impressing his superiors with a fresh perspective on toys and children's desires. The carnival, where Josh's journey begins, symbolizes the whimsical nature of childhood and the bittersweet longing for the simpler days of youth.

  • 🏢 Workplace
  • 🎡 Amusement

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:42

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2 major themes

Big Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Big (1988) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Childhood Innocence

    The film explores the theme of childhood innocence through Josh's transformation into an adult while retaining his youthful spirit. It highlights the contrast between the carefree nature of childhood and the responsibilities of adulthood, emphasizing the value of maintaining a childlike perspective in a complex world.

  • Love and Relationships

    Josh’s romantic connection with his female executive serves as a poignant exploration of love and the challenges that come with it. Their relationship navigates the complexities of emotional maturity versus youthful naivete, illustrating how profound connections can emerge even amidst misunderstandings.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:42

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Character & theme questions

Big Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Big (1988): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

What is the main setting of the movie?

The primary setting is a Toy Company where Josh gets a job after transforming into an adult. This corporate environment serves as a contrast to his childlike perspective, allowing him to use his innocent insight to impress superiors with fresh ideas about toys and children's desires.

  • toy company
  • workplace
  • setting
  • corporate world
Q2

What does the carnival represent in the story?

The carnival is where Josh makes his wish to be bigger, and it symbolizes the whimsical nature of childhood and the bittersweet longing for simpler days. It represents the transition point between his childhood world and the adult world he reluctantly enters.

  • carnival
  • wish
  • childhood
  • symbolism
  • magical moment
Q3

When is the movie set?

The film is set in the late 1980s, reflecting a contemporary period when corporate culture was evolving and the toy industry was booming. This era provides a nostalgic backdrop that contrasts Josh's imaginative world with the business-minded adult environment.

  • 1980s
  • era
  • time period
  • 80s
  • contemporary setting
Q4

What is the main theme about childhood innocence?

The movie explores how Josh's transformation into an adult body doesn't change his childlike spirit. It highlights the contrast between the carefree nature of childhood and the responsibilities of adulthood, emphasizing that maintaining a childlike perspective in a complex world has real value.

  • childhood innocence
  • growing up
  • themes
  • loss of innocence
  • childlike wonder
Q5

What role does love play in the movie?

Josh develops a romantic connection with a female executive at the toy company, exploring love as a poignant element that bridges emotional maturity with youthful naivete. Their relationship illustrates how profound connections can emerge even between people from very different life stages.

  • love
  • relationships
  • romance
  • emotional maturity
  • Josh and Susan
Q6

Who is the main character and what defines him?

Josh Baskin is a twelve-year-old boy who magically transforms into an adult but retains his childlike spirit and curiosity. His defining trait is approaching adult challenges with youthful wonder and innocence, which becomes his unique strength in a world that expects grown-up behavior.

  • Josh Baskin
  • main character
  • Tom Hanks
  • protagonist
  • child in adult body
Q7

How does the movie portray adult responsibilities?

The film shows Josh struggling with unexpected adult responsibilities like maintaining a job, paying bills, and navigating workplace dynamics. These challenges represent the overwhelming nature of growing up, contrasting sharply with the simplicity of childhood.

  • adulthood
  • responsibilities
  • growing up
  • challenges
  • adult world
Q8

What is the overall tone and mood of the film?

The film has a whimsical tone due to its fantastical premise of a child's wish granting an adult body. While it deals with medium-intensity themes like homesickness and adult pressure, the frequent humor and charm keep the emotional weight light and prevent it from becoming stressful.

  • tone
  • mood
  • whimsical
  • comedy
  • drama
  • lighthearted

Movie threads

More Movies Like Big, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Big tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Whimsical wish-fulfillment movies like Big

Fantastical stories where a simple wish turns life upside down in surprisingly complex ways. If you enjoyed the charming, magical premise of Big, you'll love these movies where a simple wish leads to big life lessons. Discover similar stories that blend fantasy, comedy, and heartfelt drama to explore the joys and challenges of seeing the world from a new, unexpected point of view.

  • whimsical
  • charming
  • lighthearted
  • hopeful
  • playful
  • nostalgic
  • Tone: whimsical, bittersweet
  • Pacing: steady, character-focused
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically begin with a character making a seemingly simple wish or being granted a magical transformation. This event propels them into a new reality where they must navigate unfamiliar challenges, often leading to personal growth and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world. The journey is marked by a mix of humorous mishaps and poignant realizations, culminating in a resolution that values the lessons learned.

Why they belong together: They are grouped together because they share a core structure of magical intervention leading to personal growth, all wrapped in a whimsical, lighthearted tone. The pacing is steady, focusing on character adaptation, and the emotional weight remains manageable despite touching on meaningful themes.

Bittersweet coming-of-age stories similar to Big

Stories about the poignant, often confusing, transition from childhood wonder to adult understanding. Fans of Big who appreciated its heartfelt exploration of childhood's end will find more to love here. These movies share a nostalgic, bittersweet tone as they follow characters navigating the complex transition into adulthood, blending light humor with poignant emotional moments.

  • bittersweet
  • nostalgic
  • charming
  • hopeful
  • poignant
  • reflective
  • Tone: bittersweet, nostalgic
  • Pacing: steady, reflective
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a protagonist, often a child or teenager, who is thrust into situations that force them to confront the complexities of the adult world prematurely. The central conflict revolves around reconciling their innate innocence with the new responsibilities and realities they face. The journey is emotionally resonant but not overwhelmingly heavy, leading to an ending that acknowledges what was lost while embracing what was gained.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their central theme of navigating the threshold between youth and adulthood. They share a specific emotional mix: a nostalgic, charming atmosphere paired with a bittersweet undercurrent, a steady pacing that allows for reflection, and a conclusion that feels earned and thoughtful.

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Movies Like Big

Similar movies to Big: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

Big (1988) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Big in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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