From Boy to Man: Exploring Growth and Responsibility in “Big”
“Big,” a film celebrated for its imaginative concept, continues to resonate with audiences due to its exploration of universal themes related to growing up. The narrative centers around Josh Baskin, a 13-year-old who, fueled by the frustrations of adolescence, impulsively wishes to be “big” at a vintage fortune teller machine. He wakes up the next morning, finding himself trapped in a grown man’s body.
Tom Hanks plays the young Josh trapped in an adult body
This review delves into the depths of these resonant themes, Growth and Responsibility as portrayed in this film.
The Allure and Limitations of Childhood Dreams
Childhood represents an era of unbridled dreams and vivid imagination, where the future appears brimming with limitless potential.
“Big” masterfully illustrates Josh’s longing for the perceived freedom of adulthood and the pursuit of his youthful aspirations, while simultaneously casting light on the restrictions and obstacles encountered along his unforeseen journey.
Josh’s aspirations are simple but profound. He desires the independence and privileges seemingly exclusive to grown-ups.
Josh looking longingly at the Cyclone rollercoaster
His desires encompass riding the thrilling Cyclone roller coaster, winning the affection of a girl, and experiencing all other aspects of the adult world. These aspirations reflect a deeper desire for freedom, exploration, and autonomy – feelings that echo within many children.
However, harsh realities quickly dash Josh’s innocent dreams. Age restrictions keep him off the Cyclone, denying that exhilarating sense of freedom.
Josh struggling to connect with a girl.
His attempts to connect with the girl he likes founder owing to his emotional immaturity. These difficulties leave him disheartened, further fueling his yearning for quick escape to adulthood. Additionally, he now has work-related stress and obligations.
Through Josh’s experiences, “Big” offers penetrating insight into the dreams of childhood. While beautiful and uninhibited, these dreams are constrained by real-world realities and growing up requires we learn how to maintain that childlike joy.
Growth, Responsibility, and Love
For children, maturity signifies independence. They long to have more autonomy to do the things they love.
Josh at the toy company
Josh, now in an adult body, no longer only lives for his enjoyment, but has to concern himself with obligations related to work, and love.
These challenges underscore the pivotal role responsibility plays in growth and maturity. His budding romance becomes enmeshed in emotional responsibility, revealing just how complex emotional connection becomes with age!
Transformation and Identity in Adulthood
“Big” intricately analyzes transformation and how we find out personal identity in adulthood.
Josh’s sudden transformation from 13 year old boy sets of confusion and how he can redefine who he his.
Josh in an adult body, confused and overwhelmed
His transformation affects not limited to his appearance, also his mind and his inner self. He’s no longer just an innocent child, he’s someone facing adult struggles.
The character now has to begin finding his place in society, needing to act in the role he was involuntarily thrust into.
Relations in Adulthood
Josh’s adjustment to who he is also starts affecting his relationships. Now he has the challenge of trying to relate with his colleuges and even the girl he likes has changed.
Josh and Susan in a romantic embrace
Through Josh we see the complexity and transformation of identity when growing up. Growing up means that we’re shifting over from one stage to another, requiring us to accept who we are.
We see, through the continuous hurdles that Josh faces, that facing change in the individual means having to recognize and building upon one’s old self in order to be who they need to be. An integral part of growing up!
Navigating the Challenges and Responsibilities of Adulthood
After Josh finds himself an adult over night, he now has a whole host of new obligations and responsibilites.
This causes reflections in the film upon all the trials and tribulations when maturing from one stage of life to another.
As he continues working at his toy company, he has to learn to adapt to his surroundings that often require him to learn quickly.
Josh succeeding at his new job, smiling and confident
The responsibilities are also shown in how now Josh needs to learn responsibilty towards the love interests and friendships he now has. The real responsibility being how to express his needs but also take others into consideration.
Responsibilities for balance
These responsibilties now invovle taking care of his financials and health on top of trying to navigate interpersonal relationships. What is the cost?
It might bring one stress, which then one may fall intro confusion, needing to also learn how to solve problems!
Josh stressed out and overwhelmed at his desk
We do see great opportunities though, as by growing individuals can then make use of their skills and have their confidences and self-value rise up, too!
These hardships give us richness that bring a real sense of acocmplishment in our lives, giving value and meaning continuously.
The Clash Between Childhood Dreams and Reality
All throughout the childhood we harbor dreams and hope, those beautiful emotions. That being said however as soon as we start seeing the real world we face obstacles that lead to something of a clash!
Our ideas, limited by reality, make what we previously wanted seem far off due to the obstacles. We aren’t able to achieve everything we expect ourselves to be able to achieve, leading us to having to make the realisaiton that realizing childhood dreams require so much effort and perhaps compromise.
This isn’t always a bad thing though! Through conflict is how we gain knowledge, growing every day.
What seems to drive childhood dreams and the reality is when we face considerations through life and economic instability. When understanding that balancing dreams might require compromise, as well.
This doesn’t mean that we let dreams we have as a child go but rather, think about all the possibilities and plan out the future!
Final Thoughts
“Big” is a real showcasing of change, showcasing how growing and taking responsiblity is something important through growing from a child that you once were! Balancing comes through adjusting to reality, always pushing onward with love and positivity through these new steps!.