Big (1988)

 So, this was 13 Going on 30's predecessor, and while it wasn't bad, I still prefer the former.

Young Josh Baskin (David Moscow) might appear to live a happy life, but after an embarrassing incident at a fair, he wishes to be grown up and shock of all shocks, it happens. He wakes up the next day (in the top bunk, one of the few errors in the film) as Tom Hanks, a grown man. 

His mother (Mercedes Ruehl) doesn't believe him but fortunately, his best friend, Billy (Jared Rushton) does and aids him with getting a job (data entry) and a room in a seedy hotel. But luck shines on Josh as he catches the eye of the big boss (Robert Loggia) and soon gets a promotion along with a raise and his own giant office and tests toys, giving them his genuine opinion, which isn't difficult and he eventually catches the eye of executive assistant, Susan (Elizabeth Perkins) who may be talented and intelligent but is nevertheless sleeping her way to the top. 

At first, it is all fun and games but then Josh is tasked with developing a new product and while his idea is brilliant, the joy zaps out of him, with deadlines looming overhead. So, Josh inevitably returns to his childhood, successfully reversing his wish, hopefully leaving Susan better than she was before she met him and he gets to finish experiencing childhood before settling into the mundane lifestyle of adults. 

Sure, the film is solid and I'm glad that Billy and Josh had closure at the end but I couldn't believe the timeline. There is just no way Josh earned enough money in under two months to afford such a lavish apartment filled with everything a teenage boy could ever wish for, and he also made his way onto a milk carton quickly as well. And the police never question Billy as to Josh's whereabouts or to figure out more about him? I can suspend my disbelief but only so much. That all being said, I'm surprised that Elizabeth Perkins didn't have a bigger career after this film as Hanks went from success to success, this film earning him his first Oscar nomination. This film was a delightful but flawed flick. Grade: B

Side Notes:

-There were some truly funny moments, including when Josh asks for his check to be cashed with a one hundred dollar bill and eighty-seven singles. 

-I want to know if Josh's Chose Your Own Adventure comic books was ever developed (in the film, of course). 

-There is a giant age gap between Josh and his younger sister, Rachel. She's only a baby.

-Once Susan gets together with Josh, she barely picks up a cigarette. 

-I think the shift in Josh turning into more of an adult is after he and Susan have sex.