Tom Hanks, who play Josh Baskins in Big (1988), uses Method Acting. According to Goodykoontz and Jacobs (2014), “Method requires that actors draw on their own memories and experiences to reach the heart of a character, so that they more genuinely feel the emotions they’re portraying instead of just pretending to.” (Section 5.4) Tom Hanks uses personal experiences to help enhance the characters he plays in movies. In this You Tube video, Tom Hanks talks about how he uses the infamous rap song that he borrowed from his son who learned it at summer camp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9z2hJwJuqg. (BBC, 2009)
Tom Hanks had the intention to put himself in the shoes of a thirteen year old boy so he used true stories to solidify his character as Josh. Tom Hanks is a loveable guy because of his down to earth personality and his ability to play just heartfelt roles such as Castaway (2000) and Forrest Gump (1994). In this scene of Forrest Gump, Tom Hanks really draws in the audience because of his love for Jenny: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFvASiMTDz0. (Juurmaa, 2011)
The cinematographer uses Forrest Gump’s voice over to show flashbacks of what he went through and the obstacles he overcome throughout the movie. The films that he performs in, always have meaning and have an important story to tell such as his huge contribution to the retelling of war stories such as Saving Private Ryan (1998) and Band of Brothers (2001).
Elizabeth Perkins, who plays Susan, uses Realism in my opinion. Goodykoontz and Jacobs (2004) imply that actors who use this type of acting method gives the “impression of genuine human action and reaction” (Section 5.4) During the later 1980s, Elizabeth Perkins played the role of a typical business woman who is trying to make it in the business. She dresses and acts the part while trying to sleep her way to the top. Once she realizes that Josh, played by Tom Hanks, is becoming a game changer, she confronts him at the business dinner and tells him, “I gotta car outside, wanna get out of here?” (Jackson, 2011)
At this point Josh is still naive and innocent, and simply looking for just a milkshake, but Susan has other plans. “One generation’s realistic performance may appear highly mannered, stylized, or heavily overacted to later generations, while one generation’s underacting may be praised as naturalistic by another. (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2014) If Susan had been played in a 1990s or even 2000s film, her character would be outdated by her clothes and appearance and possibly even her attitude towards moving up within a company. Although women are still portrayed that way in film, the push for equal rights have since made women stronger and more self-reliant on becoming successful.
Robert Loggia, who plays MacMillian, becomes Josh’s boss at the toy factory. He is portrayed as a down to earth man who is trying to find that spark to make his toy business more suited for the children, and less about the marketing strategy. I think that this type of acting is similar to that of Tom Hanks in that his likeable character makes the audience feel that he is drawing from his own experiences to make his emotions seem more genuine. In one of the most infamous scenes of Big (1998), MacMillian and Josh are playing chopsticks on a giant piano in a toy store. (Movie Clips, 2015)
In this particular scene, both characters are very child-like and MacMillian finds that spark he is looking for in Josh. Josh unequivocally forces MacMillian to find his inner-child and, therefore, they develop a strong relationship to the point that MacMillian gives Josh a promotion.
References
BBC. (2009, May 8). Tom Hanks does the ‘Big’ rap – Friday Night with Jonathan Ross – BBC One. Retrieved from You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9z2hJwJuqg
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. (2014). Film: From watching to seeing [2nd. ed.]. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
Jackson, S. (2011, April 1). Tom Hanks – Big (1988). Retrieved from You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PBMCgxIuYI
Juurmaa, R. (2011, June 30). The best scene of Forrest Gump. Retrieved from You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFvASiMTDz0
Movie Clips. (2015, May 29). Big (2/5) Movie CLIP – Playing the Piano (1988) HD. Retrieved from You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF7-rz9nIn4
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