MovieChat Forums > Big (1988) Discussion > My mum always hoped....

My mum always hoped....

posted 8 years ago by gutz1981
10 replies | jump to latest

My mum and dad were one of those people who loved to guess how the movie would end towards the third act. Some of them of course were outlandish. But my mother always hoped at the end Susan would change her mind and go and wish to be a kid again so she could be with Josh and grow up together. I kinda liked that idea and it would have been a touching ending. Don't know if it would have worked though. But I wonder, how would it have had they actually gone with that ending? Though in reality it would be harder for an adult to become a kid without being able to have an income or a place to live without a parent or guardian. But then again, this ain't a very realistic story anyway. lol

[–] mywhychromosome 8 years ago

I think that's kind of the 'instinctive' ending we all expect, and many hope for at first (I know I did, and still do from time to time), but I think it was ballsy to go with the more bittersweet ending, where Susan points out that not all childhoods are idyllic (she implies hers was pretty difficult), and she ultimately loses this man-boy she fell in love with, but remains forever changed by him.

[–] MariX2 8 years ago

Man, I watched this a long time ago and for some reason I thought Susan wished to become a kid again in the end. Then I rewatched tonight, and realized I was wrong. I can even picture the scene in my head, but I guess I'm misremembering from another movie.

Anyway, she seems pretty well off, so if she wanted to be a kid again, she could just buy a house in the suburbs and live by herself. Depending on how much she got, and how much she spends, it could last until she has the age to work again.

[–] mywhychromosome 8 years ago

You're not the only one confused, it took me a long time to figure out what people were talking about, as I never saw the other movie, but shortly after the release of "Big" there was a sort of knockoff made-for-TV movie with a similar storyline about bodyswitching, and the film ends with the boy back in school somewhat sad, when he turns around to see his the 'new' girl in his class--the adult companion from earlier, now magically back to a kid again. So a lot of people mentally tack on the ending from that made-for-tv flick to the ending of "Big". As for Susan wishing to be a kid again, besides all the logistical problems--how is she going to buy/rent a house?? No one's going to sell one to a child! How will she explain the absence of her parents? How will she get around? She wouldn't even be able to register in school, etc. But besides all that, the point is that she doesn't WANT to be a kid again, that not all childhoods are idyllic, and she found it "hard enough the first time". This avoid the Hollywood ending we all expect, and leaves us with the bittersweet feeling, that although the 2 of them can never be together (they were simply born at the wrong time), their encounter has left each other forever changed.

[–] fountaincap 8 years ago

It would have been a sweet ending to see Susan be a kid again, but I understand why it ultimately wouldn't work.

However, she does hint, when dropping Josh off at his house, that in a few years, when he grows up, who knows? I'm not sure how far apart they are in age, but it's not out of the question.

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] HOKfilms 8 years ago

Apparently this ending was filmed, but never used.

Please hit 'Reply' only to the post you wish to reply to.

I <3 Emily Blunt

[–] e-rosenfeld 8 years ago

No it was never filmed - the producers say so on the extended DVD. As stated above, people are remembering the ending of a different movie.

[–] prplayer 8 years ago

that would have turned it into a horror movie for me, imagine starting all over again from 13 year old

so many movies, so little time

[–] residentevil6901 7 years ago

I would've been all over that, I was having the time of my life from 11 years old up to about 24. At 13 I was doing nothing but playing football, basketball, running track, playing Nintendo and King's Quest games, collecting Transformers & Star Wars toys (which are worth a lot today) and had zero responsibilities.

Today is the horror movie. The world is not as great or as fun as it used to be.

[–] residentevil6901 7 years ago

I would've preferred that she make a wish to become a kid and be there with him but beggars can't be choosers.

Most movies aren't realistic so the people who can't enjoy a movie for what it is instead of getting upset that it's not 100% like reality have a problem with suspension of disbelief.