Big Business (1988)

Two couples of sisters from New York and from the countryside discover that they are connected in an incredible way.

Director:

Jim Abrahams

Writers:

Dori Pierson, Marc Reid Rubel (as Marc Rubel)

Stars:

Bette Midler, Lily Tomlin, Fred Ward

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bette Midler	...	Sadie Shelton / Sadie Ratliff
Lily Tomlin	...	Rose Shelton / Rose Ratliff
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

Storyline

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. One set to a poor local family and the other to a rich family just passing through. The dizzy nurse on duty accidentally mixes the twins unbeknown to the parents. Our story flashes forward to the 1980s where the mismatched sets of twins are about to cross paths following a big business deal to closedown the Jupiter Hollow factory.

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Plot Keywords:

neo screwball comedy | f rated | twin | identical twins | nurse | 

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Taglines:

Two's company; four's a riot.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

One scene takes place in F.A.O. Schwarz when it was located up by Central Park in New York City. Another 1988 hit film also featured a scene there - that being Tom Hanks' now iconic dancing on the giant floor piano with Robert Loggia in Big (1988).

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Goofs

When Sadie Ratliff spills the syrup on her white jacket, the syrup stain changes throughout the scene.

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Quotes

Sadie Ratliff: Isn't it exciting?
Rose Ratliff: Oh yeah, the noise, the smog, the crowds, the muggers, sex fiends, white slavers, politicians, it's a pistol. I got about as much use for it as a toad has for spit curls!

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Crazy Credits

Triplets try to check into the hotel.

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Connections

Version of Kraft Theatre: The Comedy of Errors (1949)

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Soundtracks

Higher Love
Written by Steve Winwood and Will Jennings
Performed by Steve Winwood
Courtesy of Island Records

User Reviews

A hilarious, stylish comedy.

"Big Business" is a hilarious, stylish comedy starring Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin as two sets of twins mixed at birth. One mixed set has a successful company in New York City. The other mixed set lives a simpler life in the country. The Sadie twins (Bette Midler) desire the highlife of the city; with its glitz and glamour. So, the Sadie living in the country jumps at the chance to go to New York City when her "sister" Rose needs to travel there to save their local place of employment. The Rose twins (Lily Tomlin) desire a slower way of life, and the Rose living in New York City has never felt like she belonged there. What happens next is a comedy of errors and mixed identity as the Rose and Sadie from the country prepare to do battle with the company run by the Sadie and Rose of the city. Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin both shine in their roles. The finely acted supporting cast includes Fred Ward, Edward Herrmann, and Michael Gross. The movie was very well written and filmed. The use of the trick photography when both sets of twins are together looks great. The comedy in "Big Business" is constant with its sight gags and humor ranging from cheery and campy to slick and nicely sophisticated. "Big Business" is delightful, and a comedy that's hard to outsnake when it comes to laughter.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

10 June 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sopa de gemelas

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,112,577, 12 June 1988

Gross USA:

$40,150,487

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$40,150,487

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures, Silver Screen Partners III

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1