‘So Big’: A Mother’s Dreams

A Dutch immigrant fights for her son’s future in the Midwest of the 1800s.
‘So Big’: A Mother’s Dreams
Selina (Jane Wyman) and Pervus De Jong (Sterling Hayden), in “So Big.” Warner Bros.
Ian Kane
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NR | 1h 41m | Drama, Romance, Western | 1953

There have been a number of outstanding films that depict the struggles of hardworking Europeans in the 1800s and early 1900s. Some great examples are “I Remember Mama” (1948), which follows a Norwegian family making a life in San Francisco, and the unforgettable multigenerational epic, “How Green Was My Valley” (1941), about a tight-knit Welch mining family.
“So Big,” produced in 1953, gives viewers a taste of the Dutch perspective. This is actually the third film based on a 1924 book of the same name by novelist Edna Ferber.

Early Struggles

Selina Peake (Jane Wyman) and Roelf (Richard Beymer), in “So Big.” (Warner Bros.)
Selina Peake (Jane Wyman) and Roelf (Richard Beymer), in “So Big.” Warner Bros.

Set in the late 19th century, the film introduces us to Selina Peake (Jane Wyman). She enjoys her education in a boarding school until the sad news arrives that her father has died, leaving her penniless.

Forced to fend for herself, Selina taken in by her friend Julie Hempel’s (Elisabeth Fraser) family and sent to live in a small Dutch farming community in the Midwest. There, she boards with the Pool family: Klass (Roland Winters), Maarje (Ruth Swanson), and their young son Roelf (Richard Beymer).

More educated than most in the rural town, Selina becomes a schoolteacher. She soon discovers that Roelf is a natural pianist, a talent she eagerly encourages by teaching him private lessons. But his father, Klass, expects him to work the land like the generations before him. As Selina nurtures Roelf’s musical passion, the boy develops a deep (and, of course, unrequited) crush on her.

Romance enters Selina’s life at a church drive, where she meets Pervus De Jong (Sterling Hayden), a big, strapping farmer with a kind heart but limited education. Their attraction is immediate. Selina agrees to help him with arithmetic since he’s taken advantage of when selling his produce at the market. Naturally, this leads to long gazes and stolen kisses, much to Roelf’s growing jealousy.

Selina (Jane Wyman) and Pervus De Jong (Sterling Hayden), in “So Big.” (Warner Bros.)
Selina (Jane Wyman) and Pervus De Jong (Sterling Hayden), in “So Big.” Warner Bros.
Selina and Pervus marry and have a son, Dirk (Tommy Rettig as the young Dirk, Steve Forrest as the older), nicknamed “So Big” for his size. Tragedy strikes, leaving Selina to face hardship head-on. With grit, determination, and a mother’s unshakable belief in her child, she pushes forward, determined to give Dirk a better future.

Lemons Into Lemonade

There’s something deeply inspiring about Selina’s journey. She’s repeatedly dealt a difficult hand. But instead of surrendering, she finds ways to persevere. Like many great mothers, she instills in her son the value of ambition and education. The nickname “So Big” is more than just a reference to Dirk’s size—it represents the vast potential she sees in him.
Selina De Jong (Jane Wyman) has big plans for her son Dirk (Tommy Rettig), in “So Big.” (Warner Bros.)
Selina De Jong (Jane Wyman) has big plans for her son Dirk (Tommy Rettig), in “So Big.” Warner Bros.

The film effectively captures the ups and downs of family life, from triumphs to disappointments. Dirk achieves his dream of becoming a draftsman; but under pressure from his socialite girlfriend Paula (Martha Hyer), he abandons architecture to chase quick success as a salesman. This deeply wounds Selina, yet the bond between mother and son remains unbreakable.

Sterling Hayden plays Pervus as a lovable country bumpkin, his towering frame and oversized hands make him seem like a gentle giant. Jane Wyman, as Selina, gives a wonderfully restrained performance. Her ability to convey emotion through the subtlest gestures is remarkable.

The chemistry between Hayden and Wyman, however, feels a bit forced. Even in intimate scenes, their interactions lack spark, making their love story feel somewhat compulsory, like two mannequins being pressed together and told to kiss.

The film’s biggest flaw is its pacing. With only 101 minutes to tell a sprawling multigenerational tale, some characters and storylines aren’t as developed as they deserve.

This is one of those films that might have worked better as a TV miniseries, allowing more breathing room for its themes of sacrifice, ambition, and changing times.

Despite its melodramatic tendencies, “So Big” is a moving portrait of perseverance. It doesn’t sugarcoat the hardships of life. The film reminds us that determination, love, and sacrifice can shape futures in unexpected ways.

If you enjoy heartfelt period dramas with a touch of old-school Hollywood sentimentality, this one is well worth your time.

“So Big” is available on Archive.
‘So Big’ Director: Robert Wise Starring: Jane Wyman, Sterling Hayden, Nancy Olson Not Rated Running Time: 1 hour, 41 minutes Release Date: Oct. 31, 1953 Rated: 3 1/2 stars out of 5
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Ian Kane
Ian Kane
Author
Ian Kane is an U.S. Army veteran, author, filmmaker, and actor. He is dedicated to the development and production of innovative, thought-provoking, character-driven films and books of the highest quality.