Be careful what you wish for because it might come true and you might live to regret it. This seems to be the cautionary message at the center of this enjoyable film, which we saw when it made its debut in 1988. Watching it a second time, still holds our attention as the director, Penny Marshall, clearly takes us for a ride with Josh, as he becomes a man before hand.
Josh, the New Jersey boy who is unhappy by being excluded of some fun things because of his age, asks Zoltar at the fair, for a wish which he is told has been granted. Imagine Josh's surprise the next morning waking up in the body of a grown up. His whole world comes crashing down on him. With the help of his best friend, Billy, he escapes to Manhattan, where he will go unnoticed.
The young man is in for a rude awakening, but his child-like attitude opens all the doors for him. When he applies to work at MacMillan's toys, he is a happy boy that has been given a candy. Because Josh is genuine, he will rise to the top at the firm and even find love with Susan, an executive woman that falls for his charming way and innocence.
The film is made more enjoyable by Tom Hanks. He is perfect as Josh, a boy at heart, with no malice. Elizabeth Perkins makes a good Susan. Jared Rushton plays Billy, the loyal friend. Robert Loggia is the owner of the firm. John Heard appears as Paul an executive who sees his star downgraded by the arrival of Josh.
Highlights of the film have to be the F.A.O. Schwartz sequence where Josh and Mac play on the floor piano and the party scene where Josh eats beluga caviar!
Great film for all ages thanks to Penny Marshall and the magic she created with this film.
Josh, the New Jersey boy who is unhappy by being excluded of some fun things because of his age, asks Zoltar at the fair, for a wish which he is told has been granted. Imagine Josh's surprise the next morning waking up in the body of a grown up. His whole world comes crashing down on him. With the help of his best friend, Billy, he escapes to Manhattan, where he will go unnoticed.
The young man is in for a rude awakening, but his child-like attitude opens all the doors for him. When he applies to work at MacMillan's toys, he is a happy boy that has been given a candy. Because Josh is genuine, he will rise to the top at the firm and even find love with Susan, an executive woman that falls for his charming way and innocence.
The film is made more enjoyable by Tom Hanks. He is perfect as Josh, a boy at heart, with no malice. Elizabeth Perkins makes a good Susan. Jared Rushton plays Billy, the loyal friend. Robert Loggia is the owner of the firm. John Heard appears as Paul an executive who sees his star downgraded by the arrival of Josh.
Highlights of the film have to be the F.A.O. Schwartz sequence where Josh and Mac play on the floor piano and the party scene where Josh eats beluga caviar!
Great film for all ages thanks to Penny Marshall and the magic she created with this film.