Alright, fellow tape travelers, let's dust off a slightly overlooked box from the late-90s shelf. Remember wandering the aisles, maybe past the big hits like Armageddon or Saving Private Ryan, and stumbling upon My Giant (1998)? The cover alone was a head-scratcher: Billy Crystal, looking slick and maybe a little desperate, standing next to an impossibly tall man who wasn't exactly a household name unless you followed the NBA. It promised laughs, maybe some heart, and a premise that felt distinctly… well, 90s. And you know what? Sliding that tape into the VCR revealed a film with more gentle soul than you might expect, even if it sometimes stumbled over its own oversized feet.
### A Hollywood Hustler Finds His Biggest Star (Literally)
Billy Crystal plays Sammy Kamin, a fast-talking, down-on-his-luck talent agent whose ambition vastly outweighs his actual success. He's estranged from his wife (the always reliable Kathleen Quinlan) and son, chasing that one big break that will magically fix everything. While stranded in Romania after a client ditches him – a classic setup for comedic desperation – Sammy stumbles upon Max Zamphirescu (Gheorghe Mureșan), a monastery caretaker who happens to be, well, gigantic. We're talking 7-foot-7 gigantic. For those who remember, Mureșan wasn’t an actor; he was a Romanian professional basketball player for the Washington Bullets/Wizards, holding the record as the tallest player in NBA history alongside Manute Bol. Casting him wasn't just stunt casting; it was the movie.
Sammy sees dollar signs and a path back to relevance, convincing the gentle, Shakespeare-quoting Max to come to America for a shot at stardom, specifically aiming for a role opposite Steven Seagal (in a wonderfully self-aware cameo). The culture clash and fish-out-of-water comedy ensue, but underneath the expected gags about low doorways and custom-made beds, there's a surprisingly earnest story trying to break through.
### Heart Over Height Gags
What elevates My Giant beyond a simple gimmick film is the genuine warmth Mureșan brings to Max. He wasn't a trained actor, and sometimes it shows in his line delivery, but his sheer presence and inherent sweetness are undeniable. Max isn't just a prop; he's a man yearning for connection, specifically hoping to reunite with a long-lost love from his youth, Lilliana (played by Joanna Pacuła). It's this subplot, Max's quiet vulnerability contrasting with Sammy's loud desperation, that gives the film its emotional core.
Retro Fun Fact: Billy Crystal actually conceived the idea for the film after his experiences working with Andre the Giant on The Princess Bride (1987). While not a direct biopic, you can feel the echoes of that unique friendship dynamic – the smaller, talkative comedian bonding with the imposing, often misunderstood giant. Crystal co-wrote the script with David Seltzer (who penned The Omen (1976) – talk about range!), presumably pouring some of that personal affection into the narrative.
Director Michael Lehmann, who gave us the pitch-black brilliance of Heathers (1988) and the delightfully absurd Hudson Hawk (1991), might seem an odd choice. But he handles the material with a lighter touch here, focusing on the character moments rather than leaning too heavily into cynicism or slapstick. The visual comedy derived from Mureșan’s height is present, naturally, but Lehmann often frames shots to emphasize the emotional distance or closeness between Sammy and Max, not just the physical disparity. Filming partially on location in Romania adds a touch of authenticity to Max’s backstory, grounding the larger-than-life premise just a bit.
### A 90s Artifact with Genuine Charm
Let's be honest, My Giant wasn't exactly a box office smash. It cost around $20 million and barely made back $8 million domestically. Critics weren't particularly kind either, often dismissing it as overly sentimental or formulaic. And yeah, the plot follows a fairly predictable path – Sammy learns life lessons, Max finds his voice, estranged families might just reconcile. The humor sometimes feels a bit broad, rooted firmly in that late-90s sensibility.
But watching it now, through the warm, fuzzy glow of nostalgia (and maybe actual VHS tracking lines), there's an undeniable charm. It’s a film made with evident affection for its characters. Crystal is doing his reliable fast-talking shtick, but there's vulnerability beneath the surface. Mureșan is simply captivating in his own way – a truly unique screen presence embodying gentle giant tropes without falling entirely into caricature. Remember seeing him on screen back then? It was genuinely startling how big he was, a practical effect no CGI could truly replicate the sheer physical reality of.
The film’s earnestness, which might have felt a bit saccharine in 1998, now feels kind of refreshing. It’s a movie about friendship, second chances, and looking past appearances, delivered without a heavy layer of irony. It’s the kind of mid-budget, star-driven comedy-drama that studios seemed more willing to take a chance on back then.
Rating: 6.5/10
Justification: My Giant earns its score through sheer heart and the undeniable appeal of Gheorghe Mureșan's unique presence. Billy Crystal delivers a typically energetic performance, and the film aims for genuine emotion amidst the predictable plot beats. While it suffers from some pacing issues and 90s sentimentality, its sincerity and the central friendship make it more memorable than its box office performance suggests. It's flawed but ultimately quite likable.
Final Thought: It might not be a towering classic, but My Giant is a warm-hearted reminder of a time when Hollywood could build a whole movie around finding the biggest guy possible and letting him teach a fast-talking agent a thing or two about what really matters – a true artifact of the late VHS era's gentler side. Definitely worth revisiting if you find that oversized box lurking in a forgotten corner.