Big Business (1988)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

Jim Abrahams

Writers (WGA):

Dori Pierson (written by) &
Marc Reid Rubel (written by)

Release Date:

10 June 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Mixed up at birth, two sets of twins finally meet their match.

Plot:

In the 1940s in the small town of Jupiter Hollow, two sets of identical twins are born in the same hospital on the same night...

Plot Keywords:

Twin | Big Business | Twins Separated At Birth | Businesswoman | Shakespeare's The Comedy Of Errors

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Bette Midler	...	Sadie Ratliff / Sadie Shelton
Lily Tomlin	...	Rose Ratliff / Rose Shelton
Fred Ward	...	Roone Dimmick
Edward Herrmann	...	Graham Sherbourne
Michele Placido	...	Fabio Alberici
Daniel Gerroll	...	Chuck
Barry Primus	...	Michael
Michael Gross	...	Dr. Jay Marshall
Deborah Rush	...	Binky Shelton
Nicolas Coster	...	Hunt Shelton
Patricia Gaul	...	Iona Ratliff
J.C. Quinn	...	Garth Ratliff
Norma MacMillan	...	Nanny Lewis
Joe Grifasi	...	Desk Clerk
John Vickery	...	Hotel Manager

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:PG | Argentina:Atp | Chile:TE | Finland:S | Peru:PT | Sweden:Btl | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:6 | Singapore:PG | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Golden Oak Ranch - 19802 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall, California, USA

Company:

Silver Screen Partners III

Trivia:

Jim Abrahams said he staged one of the boardroom scenes based on an experience he had when a large agency used many employees to get him to sign with them.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the beginning, when Dr. Jay is handed the glass of cider by Nanny Lewis, and he sips it, there's only a tiny bit left. But when Mr. Stokes comes in with the Sheltons moments later, it's more than half full.

Quotes:

Rose Shelton: I had other plans this evening.
Sadie Shelton: I know what your plans were, to hold up in your room and make love to the pastry cart. Now put down the éclair and get down there.

Movie Connections:

References Over the Top (1987)

Soundtrack:

PENNIES FROM HEAVEN

Two Bettes are better than one

Why doesn't Bette Midler make movies like this anymore? This is the second most watched film that I own (Death Becomes Her being the first). Lily Tomlin and Bette Midler are on top form here (watch Bette's sudden change of expression as she orders a Campari and soda) and work wonderfully together.

Aside from the mini-golf tournament scene (which I would shorten) there isn't a thing that I would change about this movie.

It ranks up there with Ruthless People and Outrageous Fortune as Bette's best work.