Big - new insight
Hello everyone - hope you are at your best. Sorry I've not added much here for a couple of weeks. Since looking for my Friend Phil's grave a couple of weeks ago, I've been in chill out mode (or something like that).
Anyway, I've just watched the Tom Hanks film, 'Big' on terrestial television. I've always liked this film, but not really understood why as my tastes are more towards action films like Terminator Two. Big is a family, feel good movie.
Don't know if any of you have watched it, but I now see it in a whole new light!
It's about a 12 year old who wishes that he was'Big' so that he can go on fairground rides that have height restrictions. He makes a wish on a Zoltan machine at a fairground & the next day he wakes up as a 30 year old adult.
The result is that his old life changes instantly, his mother doesn't recognise him & he runs away to a new life where he has to act like an adult.
He gains employment with a company that produces toys for the mass market - his progression within the company is rapid because of his (not despite)child like qualities.
He eventually falls in love with a co-worker & is introduced to the real adult world.
After a while, he starts to miss his old life & finds the Zoltan machine again. He makes a wish again and returns to the child he was (although now 13).
That's a very brief summary of the plot, so what is relevant? Well I very much see myself in this film now!
I was 12 when my life changed and I was introduced to the adult world. That made me feel very different inside & like Joshua (Tom Hank's character), I didn't tell anybody - Joshua new he wouldn't be believed...I just hid it trying not to think about it. Joshua woke up as a 30 year old - I woke up a bit later than that!
Joshua felt different to everyone else at work & only he new the reason why - ditto. Despite appearing to be a man, he retained his childlike qualities - ditto.
Very briefly, what I got from the film watching it this time is that:
Kids want to be adults (but not in the way that we were introduced to it), but at the end of the day they are better off having a real childhood without trying to grow up too soon.
Be who you are - Josh was loved in both versions of himself, as a child and manchild.
Live life as best you can - in the film just notice how insignificant & miserable the 'arsehole' type characters are.
Look back only so that you can look forward - unlike Joshua, we cannot go back for a second chance at growing up, or to change anything. I went looking for my childhood friend and can't bring him back either, but I know he'd be glad that I'm moving on at last.
If I'm not putting this across very well, watch the movie - it may give you some comfort as it has me.
*if any of you actually know Tom Hanks (you never know), thank him from me - he probably wouldn't believe that an abuse survivor could get some significance from the film 'Big'.
I now think it's the best movie that he's starred in, because it is now personal to me.
Best wishes .... Rik
Anyway, I've just watched the Tom Hanks film, 'Big' on terrestial television. I've always liked this film, but not really understood why as my tastes are more towards action films like Terminator Two. Big is a family, feel good movie.
Don't know if any of you have watched it, but I now see it in a whole new light!
It's about a 12 year old who wishes that he was'Big' so that he can go on fairground rides that have height restrictions. He makes a wish on a Zoltan machine at a fairground & the next day he wakes up as a 30 year old adult.
The result is that his old life changes instantly, his mother doesn't recognise him & he runs away to a new life where he has to act like an adult.
He gains employment with a company that produces toys for the mass market - his progression within the company is rapid because of his (not despite)child like qualities.
He eventually falls in love with a co-worker & is introduced to the real adult world.
After a while, he starts to miss his old life & finds the Zoltan machine again. He makes a wish again and returns to the child he was (although now 13).
That's a very brief summary of the plot, so what is relevant? Well I very much see myself in this film now!
I was 12 when my life changed and I was introduced to the adult world. That made me feel very different inside & like Joshua (Tom Hank's character), I didn't tell anybody - Joshua new he wouldn't be believed...I just hid it trying not to think about it. Joshua woke up as a 30 year old - I woke up a bit later than that!
Joshua felt different to everyone else at work & only he new the reason why - ditto. Despite appearing to be a man, he retained his childlike qualities - ditto.
Very briefly, what I got from the film watching it this time is that:
Kids want to be adults (but not in the way that we were introduced to it), but at the end of the day they are better off having a real childhood without trying to grow up too soon.
Be who you are - Josh was loved in both versions of himself, as a child and manchild.
Live life as best you can - in the film just notice how insignificant & miserable the 'arsehole' type characters are.
Look back only so that you can look forward - unlike Joshua, we cannot go back for a second chance at growing up, or to change anything. I went looking for my childhood friend and can't bring him back either, but I know he'd be glad that I'm moving on at last.
If I'm not putting this across very well, watch the movie - it may give you some comfort as it has me.
*if any of you actually know Tom Hanks (you never know), thank him from me - he probably wouldn't believe that an abuse survivor could get some significance from the film 'Big'.
I now think it's the best movie that he's starred in, because it is now personal to me.
Best wishes .... Rik
