NR | 1h 41m | Drama, Romance, Western | 1953
Early Struggles
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.
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.
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.
