My Giant (released in theaters on April 10, 1998) opens on Sammy Kamin (Billy Crystal), a fast-talking, low-level Hollywood talent agent struggling to keep his career afloat while traveling through Romania on a desperate location shoot.
Facing financial ruin and an impending divorce from his estranged wife Serena (Kathleen Quinlan), Sammy stumbles upon Maxironia “Max” Sanferescu (Gheorghe Mureșan), a gentle, seven-foot-seven Romanian giant residing in a secluded monastery.
Recognizing Max’s massive stature as his golden ticket back into Hollywood’s good graces, Sammy uses his sharp charm to convince the shy giant to leave his quiet sanctuary and travel to America.
Max agrees, not for fame or fortune, but with the heartfelt hope of reuniting with his childhood sweetheart, Lillianna (Joanna Pacula), who relocated to the United States years earlier.
The plot evolves into a sweet road-trip comedy as Sammy parades Max across the entertainment landscape, landing him a role as an extra in a major Steven Seagal action film.
However, as Sammy gets to know Max beyond his towering frame, he discovers that the gentle giant suffers from a life-threatening heart condition, making every stressful audition a serious health risk.
Realizing he has exploited a genuine, vulnerable human being purely for personal gain, Sammy undergoes a profound change of heart.
Abandoning his self-serving ambitions, Sammy pivots his entire focus toward fulfilling his promise to Max, embarking on a poignant journey to track down Lillianna so the gentle giant can express his true feelings before time runs out.
Director Michael Lehmann balances slapstick physical comedy with tender emotional beats, crafting an endearing story inspired by Crystal’s real-life friendship with Andre the Giant during the filming of The Princess Bride.
Crystal delivers a high-energy performance packed with his trademark rapid-fire wit and genuine warmth, while former NBA player Mureșan turns in a surprisingly sweet, sympathetic debut performance that gives the film its gentle heart.
Quinlan and Pacula offer strong emotional grounding, helping steer the narrative toward a heartfelt resolution.
Dan Castellaneta, Harold Gould, Lorna Luft, Doris Roberts, Joss Acklund, Verne Troyer, Rick Overton, Richard Portnow, and Heather Thomas round out the supporting cast.
Billy Crystal and Gheorghe Mureșan in My Giant (Photo/Columbia Pictures)
Reception for My Giant
My Giant grossed $3.1 million on its opening weekend, finishing eighth at the box office.
The film would gross $8.1 million in its theatrical run.
Roger Ebert gave My Giant two out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
My Giant‘s legacy rests on its reputation as a uniquely personal, warmhearted entry in late-1990s studio comedy cinema.
Celebrated for stepping away from cynical Hollywood satire to deliver a sweet story about empathy, friendship, and inner character, the movie remains a notable chapter in Crystal’s extensive comedic filmography.
My Giant is appreciated by fans for its gentle spirit, emotional sincerity, and Mureșan’s memorable screen debut, it remains an enjoyable, nostalgic slice of 90s cinema that highlights the unexpected bonds that can form between two complete opposites.
